[Tom H]

about carving deadfall cherry. Recent winds have blown over a very large (tall) and 24" diameter cherry tree on daughters property. It was rotten on the inside, and one side is kinda punky. I pulled some big chunks off and prepared it just like cottonwood bark. Was able to cut off the soft punky wood down to the more solid wood. Tried to carve it, but realized it was a little damp. But, where it's dry, it seems to carve like cottonwood bark. Does anyone have any experience carving cherrywood in this state? Is it worth saving? Tom H

[Paul_Guraedy]

Tom, my experience in carving (wild)cherry has been limited to carving wood that has been dried for several years. I would not describe it as anything like carving cottonwood bark, more like carving black walnut. I suspect that you are carving green wood, which is a lot easier to carve than is seasoned wood. Are you having any problems with the pieces that you are carving splitting? Some woods start to check pretty early in the drying process and may indicate that your wood is still "green".

About 7-8 years ago I was having some timber harvested and had the loggers cut down a wild cherry for me. I just let it lie in the weather for about 4 years, then cut it into sections which I split into quarters, waited another year or two and selected the ones without checks and splits to use for carving. A tree of the size you described should give you a lot of good carving wood; but, if it were mine, I would plan on letting it season and dry for a few years.

I am not a carver of "green" wood; but, remember that several on the board have tried it. You might do a search for any posts of this type.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I am a very beginner turner, but understand a lot of turners like green wood?

[papasar]

your wrong Dave!
Lana liked hollywood.
Bill K.

[wade clark]

Tom,
I like carving green wood, but you really need to stay on top of it to keep it from splitting...lots of threads on that here if you search for it.
Paul's advice on giving the wood lots of time to dry is good advice. But if you have a good supply, do both! Carve some green, put lots of it back for later dates, carving a little along the way, just for the experience. The good news is a split in some carvings can add charactor...and the other good news is it all burns if you don't like what you find! But eventually it'll get to the right dryness if you prefer it dry and have enough set back. Try both ways for the fun of it, but carving it green it's softer, just don't let it dry too fast and crack.
Good luck!
Wade

[whitecree]

Carve it while green, just store it in newspaper and plastic and keep it cool in between carving sessions, and - with fingers crossed - it won't check too badly.