Cottonwood Root or wood Source

I am wanting to find a scource for either Cottonwood Root or blocks of Cottonwood. I would like to try carving some Kachina Dolls and these two materials are traditional to the dolls. Also, I would appreciate any advice or other sources if anybody can help. Thinks!

[Robert Cahill]

Don't have any cottonwood handy but I do have the book Carving Tradional Style Kackina Dolls by Tom Moore. He does his in basswood. I have done a couple from it and really enjoyed doing them. But when I delivered laundry I met a stern elderly woman who actually collected real
kachina dolls and in my opinion the ones in the book were not even close. I did not endear myself to her when I mentioned I was carving a couple kachinas

Thanks for the reply Robert. I have the book on order and hope that it will be helpful. Away back when I was an active Scouter, I made a couple using a book published for Scouts. Since the Flood, I lost the book and the Kachinas, so I am starting over and wanted to be authentic with the tradition if I could. Craig

[Claude]

One of the members here carves Kachinas: Mottles (Kathy) - send her a PM and she might be able to help you with some info.

Claude

Thanks Claude! I will track her down. I took a look at your galleries. Very nice. You have a lot of interest and skills.

Craig

[purcell]

hi craig,, we carve cotton wood bark,i have both blocks and [cottonwood] roots i have a band sawmill that i cut the squared blocks on,,,i live in central idaho,,,,,,kerry

[flyfisher]

You may want to try Alex Bisso (albisso@bresnan.net) in Billings, Montana. I purchased cottonwood root from him a few years ago for Kachina projects and was very satisfied with its quality, price, and the service he provided.

[pjoines]

Try calling a local tree service company. Around here cottonwood trees are very common and some are very large. A tree company here was cutting down one that had encroached on a garage. It was 4' across and about 80' tall. When I asked for some of the wood he delivered whole the trunk (cut into 4' long chunks) for free. It took us several years to use it all up.