Basswood tree question

[chipper67]

Some friends of ours have just cut down a basswood tree and was wondering if I wanted it. I said sure. I haven't seen it yet. He said he could cut it however I want. It is very, very wet right now so my question is what is the best way to go about it. The sizes he got from the basswood tree are:

8ft x 22" dia log
4ft x 20" dia log
8ft x 10" dia log from a branch
8ft x 8" dia log from a branch

I like to do more caricature carving/figure carving so what sizes would you recommend if you too do caricature carving? Should it all be cut to size now or wait til it is not so wet? I plan on just storing the pieces in my garage. How long do you think it will take to dry? I do know the ends should be sealed to help with splitting. Does that mean even on a small 3"x 3"x 12" piece though? Sorry for all the questions, I've just never done this and want to do it right. FYI, this tree is in southeastern South Dakota.

Thanks,

chipper67

[CarverFromNoWhere]

First off it is always best to cut the tree during the dorment period in the winter, but sometimes ya can't. Ya want to make sure the pith or heart wood of the tree gets cut out and thrown or burned whatever, ya don't want that for carving. Fully quartersawn is the best for carving but it is really to wastefull for basswood, I normaly seal the logs in log form right after they are cut that way when they get sawn they are already sealed. As for sizes I like to do 2 1/4" by full length of the logs, and I do make all sizes but for caricatures I think this is right. I would say saw it to what ever ya want it at, stack it with spacers at least 3/4" thick and leave some gaps between the lumber for air flow and a fan will also help the drying time and prevent mold. Lets see I think that should be everything, I like to leave it long as I can then once it is dryed at least to 15-20% it will be cut shorter other wise if its all cut short as soon as its cut it will all split. I hope this helps.
Carl

[davidinsarasota]

The moisture in kiln dried lumber is very gradually reduced via heat and humidity control. I don't have a kiln so, once cut, I store it in an outside storage room (high humidity here in Fla in the summer) then covered with a tarp outside on the porch, then uncovered, then inside A/C.

I also get the bark off right away and seal the ends with melted wax. Wood fibers are basically bundles of tubes that lose moisture faster from the ends than the sides.