[spanky1539]

I have a cherry tree that I am taking down, and I started removing a few of the 2 inch diameter limbs. I cut some of them into 5 inch long pieces. Is there a good way for me to keep them from splitting at the ends? I also have some longer pieces, but thought Id use the smaller ones for caricatures. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Terry

[Smee]

As they dry, they will crack from the center out. It would be best to split them in half ahead of time. That way it will take the stress off and keep them from splitting in multiple places. JMO!

[spanky1539]

Thats a good idea, but I didnt want to split them. I would like to leave them in the round. These are only 2 inches in diameter. Your idea would definately work with larger pieces, tho. Thanks

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

All I can say is good luck! Cherry and most other fruit woods are notorious for checking. Seal the ends really well with wax, elmer's glue, paint, etc. and repeat frequently. Keep them in a cooler moist area to slow the drying process and pray a lot. I have not had much luck with the fruit woods unless I split them and removed the pith area and even then they check. Too bad too, because they are very beautiful woods.

[spanky1539]

Thanks for the replies. I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained. I got the wood at the right price, (free!!!!) so Im certainlyl not out anything. Thanks again. Terry

[ve3rin]

I am new at the hobby but after speaking to some of the older carvers they have suggested to leave the wood longer lengths and soak the ends in radiator antifreeze for about 5 minutes each end and as suggested to put them in an area that is cooler and out of direct sunlite whith some air movement around them.
There may be some checking but when the wood has dried (this may take some time) the checked areas can be cut off and you will have good wood to work with.
I hade just cut down a Basswood tree the fall before last and had it sawn into various size boards 4x4 3x8 etc and the gentleman who did this work for me suggested that it may take up to 4 years for them to dry properly. about 1 inch per year.
I just planed these logs and soaked them in the antifreeze and hope that they will behave the same as the 3 inch basswood that I did 2 years ago.
hope this helps.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Just be aware the anitfreeze is hightly toxic to pets and humans.

[Canopener]

The antifreeze thing came up a few years back and seems kind of unsafe.
I believe the quick answer, as opposed to the tried and true methods of time and temperature, was pentacryl, which is available from a variety of suppliers.
I tried it and found it worked but kind of weird feeling on the wood, but give that a try.
As a former mechanic, I just loathe the feeling of antifreeze, yechh, Sorry, ve3rin.
Another trick is wax or parrifin or paint on the ends.
Jim

[Merle Rice]

I had a 4" trunk of my Daughters Weeping Cherry tree that Died. The trunk was straight as a fence . I put it in a corner of my shop after I took the Bark off. It split right down the middle with a twist. Got 3 nice walking Sticks and a Cane out of it. It is HARD! mERLE