Raw material

[Justus]

I am new to wood carving and would like to get into it. I am interested in rough larger carvings, lifesized. My biggest question is what type of wood is best to start with. Another question is where to get the wood. I live in Florida. I will be going to western NY later next month and have the capibility of getting some logs or stumps up there if necessary.

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Justus. It's nice to have you here with us. Sorry, I can't help you with the wood question but welcome and good luck. You might try calling tree trimmers after a storm.

[carver33]

Justus,

A good wood to start with is northern Basswood. I also talked to a carver who carved almost life size figures and he said he preferred Buckeye. Both of these should be available in western NY.

A lot of carvers like Cypress knees, so possibly Cyprus trees.

Bill (Aiken, SC)

[Mudbone]

Hi Justus,
I am in West Palm Beach and there are several local species that are carvable. I take just about any logs I can find that have been cut down of Cypress, Cedar, and Mohogany. They all grow here. One fellow told me to try Maleluca (the exotic pest tree), he said its a very pretty pink wood I do have a log of it but have not carved it yet. It looks like really hard wood. As for up north, My dad's in West Virginia, and he likes Sassafrass.
Have fun! Tom

[TreeWizard]

You'll find a lot of great wood in WNY. Some of the best black cherry in the world grows in WNY and N. West Pa. Lots of Ash, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, some Walnut, Sycamore, all kinds of fruit wood. If you get to Little Valley, about 50 miles south of buffalo, you'll find a lot of Amish sawmills and can get almost anything you want.

[Burt Alcantara]

Look up landscapers, tree surgeons, tree trimers/removers, etc in your local phone book and ask them if they will give you a log or two. If you keep a look out follow these trucks and ask them for wood. They usually haul it off to the dump so they'd be happy to give you some.

Also, get to know the sweet song of the chainsaw siren. As soon as you hear it go running after the sound. You can get a lot of wood that way.

I have wood all over the place. Almost all of it was gotten this way. A while back, I purchased some logs from a tree cutter who sells firewood. I wanted really big pieces and especially wanted white oak which is hard to come by in my area.

Once you get attuned to all of these "features" you will be over loaded with wood.

Burt