My first attempt

[Bingo]

This old willow will be my first attempt at chainsaw carving
I haven't decided what it will be yet
I'll take pics as I go along,
Thank goodness for this site
Wish me luck.... hopefully it won't end up being firewood

Bing

[Bob's Birds]

Hi Bing,
It should carve OK, if not a bit wet. ST and I, carved a few pieces in Florida this winter and they looked ok.
Watch that you have enough oil on your bar as you are getting a bath usually while carving.

Bob

[Big Wood]

Hey Bingo, looks like a tree with lots of possiblies. I actually enjoying carving Willow, its like butter. The problem is perserveing it, I find sometimes its unpredictable and prone to rot, but sometimes stands up well. Have fun with it.
I look forward to the pics.

[Bingo]

Thanks for the advise I.ll keep it oiled. It gets really hot and no rain during the summer here in merritt, should I maybe let it dry for a while after I cut the top off? Or, just GO FOR IT

[Rwenzoski]

Hi Bingo, looks like a great specimen to start with & like all the others said is soft to carve. Kinda like carving watermellon, Just let your imagination guide you & keep it simple on the first one! The trick to Willow or any wood that is high in water content & large cells is to try to slow the drying process or it will split like crazy in a day so best to kee a tarp on it as soon as you arent carving & get some stain or something on it as soon as it shows some small checks!
Thanks, Robbin

[The Progressional Carver]

Hi ,

This tree will continue to draw water up it's dying stem from the root system below . The end result is much hastened rot . If you wish to preserve this one longer you could sever the stem , tip it over , stand it back up out of the way to carve and postion it back on a cement slab or some dry gravel allowing an air space betwixt it and the ground . It could even be put back where it originally grew .
As you carve and the water evaporates from it's pores you will have a much lighter piece in the summer , not as difficult to move about and reposition .

That all said if you are practicing on this fella while having some learning fun , chuck on the oil and preservatives after your done and you'll have an art stump for quite some time to admire , it'll be a lot longer look if you cut it off first is all .
Enjoy Bing .