Plum wood, is this true?

[toycarver]

Does Plum wood need to be dry before you carve it? I just got a couple pieces from a guy that was cutting one up, after a storm knocked it down. I guess this goes under the "you might be a carver if" catagory, since my car had broken down and while the guy with the plum tree was helping me, I decided to ask him if he could spare a couple small pieces. (who cares about the car!). Anyway, I want to carve him a spoon from it, right now...unless it's going to split on me.

[Goody]

Most of your fruit woods will split easy. Cut it through the heart to relieve stress wax the ends and put it somewhere dry. I cut some apple blanks a week ago seemed dry . Split beyond use today when I looked at it.
Goody

[Robson Valley]

Wax the ends, run a saw cut right to the center of the log if you can, up what you believe is the "ugly side" of the stick. The wax will even out the water loss from the open cut ends of the cells. The cut will relieve the shrinkage drying stress in the radial direction. It's the very same deal as getting a log ready for a totem pole carving = the back side is always opened up.

Goody: I'm sorry to read that your apple wood went away. For the first hour in the BBQ with some chickens or a pork butt with a good rub, you'll get over it at suppertime. I'll make some buns, slaw and sauce, you'll feel better in no time.

[Donsexton]

I am not from the school of wood must be dry and cured to carve. I think this is a hold over from the wood worker roots of most woodcarvers. Carve it fast enough and the outer growth rings wont have time to crack. If you don’t have time to start now spray it down with bug spray and coat the ends with heavy melted paraffin.

[toycarver]

Thanks guys. I will prep most of the wood for drying, as has been suggested. I guess with one piece, I will experiment and see if I can get a spoon carved before it splits. In the past, I have carved Apple and Cherry wood when it was green, and used the microwave to dry it...resulting in some nice spoons. I know some wood, like Lilac splits terrible fast, and I had to wait until it was dry. I'll let you know how I fare.

[Goody]

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Wax the ends, run a saw cut right to the center of the log if you can, up what you believe is the "ugly side" of the stick. The wax will even out the water loss from the open cut ends of the cells. The cut will relieve the shrinkage drying stress in the radial direction. It's the very same deal as getting a log ready for a totem pole carving = the back side is always opened up.

Goody: I'm sorry to read that your apple wood went away. For the first hour in the BBQ with some chickens or a pork butt with a good rub, you'll get over it at suppertime. I'll make some buns, slaw and sauce, you'll feel better in no time.

Breaks My Heart to use carving blocks for smoker chips.
But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!
Goody

[Robson Valley]

Goody: like I said, I'll make the slaw, sauce & buns and come over.
Looks like you've got the whole business sorted out.
Possibly poor carving wood but it goes to a good & just cause.