[jacambece]

Is birch able to be carved with out breaking? I have these huge trees in my back yard and I want to cut them down and do something with them, I can burn the wood, but that’s no fun. I know the wood breaks easy off the branches I wanted to know if the trunk could be carved.

Cambece

[Kenny_S]

I would say yes. Many branch carvings have been carved in birch. I have a plain birch walking staff but have not carved in it yet. My neighbor has sliver Maples in his yard and those are the most breaking off limbs I have seen. A little wind and snap, off comes a limb, I have several of those waiting to be carved but not sturdy as others.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Yes Birch carves beautiful it has a nice grain, oh boy,I am talking about White Birch , it is the on I have been using. I have done some carving where I partial leave the bark on and work it into my designs ,in order not to yellow Birch( I leave it natural ) I use Waterbourne Poli it does not yellow at all.
Birch begins to spalt very soon( a year or so) but again that will give you beautiful designs right in your carvings if left natural,
I hope it helps
Alice