Balsam fir

[Curtis The Carver]

Hi everyone. A friend gave me some balsam fir (the bottom stumps from a christmas tree) and I was wondering if anyone knows much about carving this kind of wood. It's quite sappy and looks very green, and I'm not even sure it's worth getting my tools all messy! What do you think?

[TreeWizard]

Too much sap, it will bleed all over your hands and carving glove.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Sticky situation.

Dave

[Curtis The Carver]

Hahaha, yes. I Had a feeling it would be no good. Now I know for sure. Thanks a lot.

[Goody]

I always Carve a Santa from the bottom of our years past Christmas tree. ONLY because it had become tradition. I cut it right after christmas and put it the attic, I usually carve it october, november of the next year. Knotts tearing Sappy hard. Power carving lots of smoke an clogs the tools and cutters quickly. They don't turn out good and we get a laugh out of them.
Goody

[cseymour]

Hi Curtis,
You might want to check out this book
21 Carvings for the Day after Christmas by Al and Trinka Chapman - Schifferbooks.com
It might give you some ideas.

Happy Holidays.

Chris

[AlArchie]

Regarding that balsam........if you can find a thick stand of balsam saplings, check in amongst them for dead standing ones. There are usually quite a few of them in these new growth stands.

As they are still standing, they will be dry, light and strong. EXCELLENT stock for walking sticks.

Al

[Curtis The Carver]

Wow, thanks. I'll have to keep an eye out for that when I'm in the bush.