carving green vs. dry wood

[bob holderby]

hey everyone......this is a GREAT site for someone like myself to get information. So far, I've not carved a lick, but have read a lot and was lucky enough to find this forum. My first question is a walking stick carving.....can you use green wood or does it have to be dry?....thinkin bout cuttin some small trees or limbs. By the way, I'm leaning towards power carving.
Thanks a lot you all,
Bob

[carver33]

Welcome aboard Bob. I can't help with the green vs. dry question. The few sticks that I've carved have all been dry. I usually let them dry for about a year, then cut the top and bottom. I currently have a couple that I dipped the ends in wax and left to cure. That was about 6 months ago, and I haven't checked them.

Hopefully some carvers with experience on green wood will come along shortly.

[bob holderby]

Thanks Bill........I almost know the answer from doing some work in lumber, but I wondered if it was sealed after it was carved, if it would hold without twisting or cracking????
Thanks again for the input
Bob

[Don R]

Hi Bob, I have carved many walking sticks over the last 5 years and quite often do carve them green. Typically, I will remove most of the wood to rough out the carving while they are green then seal the ends with lacquer and put them away for a few weeks to dry before doing the final detail. Green wood is much easier to remove than seasoned wood but the wood needs to be seasoned to hold the details. I have had very little problem with them warping or splitting. Occasionally, a dogwood sapling will split but I have had very good luck with maple and oak.
Good luck with your sticks!
Don R

[Mitchell]

You can refer to the Similar Threads linked at the bottom of this page or search using the key words "checking walking sticks".

Green wood carves MUCH easier than dry, but you run a great risk of having the wood split. Alot depends on the type of wood. If you know the species, you can search using that as a key also.

[bob holderby]

Thanks a lot you guys.....guess i'll try some green wood and then let it dry before detailing......although it would all be new practice for me. I really appreciate the info.
God Bless

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

welcome to the forum.

Dave

[Riverman]

Hi Bob, welcome to the group!
Bob

[Merle Rice]

Hi Bob,I haven't used it but SMOKY MOUNTAIN WOODCARVERS SUPPLY, has a product that is supposed to keep green wood from splitting and cracking, it's called " PENTACRYL- WOOD STAILIZER. Alle Goodmann recommends it. Might be worth a try. Merle