Howdy Sundown! Let me first say that I hope all is well with your daughter. I know I got nervous when my daughters got their tonsils out!   Its not the surgery itself that makes me nervous- its  the anesthesia. I got a question for you: How long do I have to let a log season before I can use it for turning? I had to remove a weeping cherry tree that was dying, but I didn't want to waste the timber. I cut it down in Decemberand its been seasoning out back since then. I went to  turn a piece down last week and was  surprised at the amount of moisture that was still in the wood. Needless to say, even though I sealed the wood, it ended up splitting in several places and the project was now a pretty piece of fire wood. I want to attempt this project again. Maybe I should move the wood indoors? Biggest concern is is the wood splitting during the drying period. Just so you know, the log still has the bark on it, and both ends are open (neither end has wax covering it). Needing some expert advise here buddy. Any input would be greatly appreciated . Hope all is well on your end my friend.

Blessings,

Draco

Blessings,
� � � �Were you able to use any of the wood from that beautiful tree? I could see all kinds of good things coming from it.gb

  Draco,in my experience, splitting can be inevitable unfortunately. It depends greatly on the type of wood,and the storage comditions as well.One method is to cut a piece larger than needed for the project you've planned,then when its dry,trim away the split-out portions from the ends. A method I have used successfully when storing cut green-wood for Wands or Staves is to leave the bark intact and tie a double thickness of cotton rag over each end with a cord.I then store the piece for up to a year inside the shed or other out-building.The rag allows the wood to slowly wick away its internal moisture,but prevents the rapid drying which causes splitting.gb

Thanks all

DM depends on the wood, cherry has a lot of moisture, may take a year to cure and depends on where it is stored, dont want it to wet or dry of a place. If you had a covered shed to put it in. Go to
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/
you will have to register but you will find the info you need.

what is the diameter of the log?

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f59/long-cure-dry-wood-18599/
you wont have to register to read this one.


Sundown

edit: some times the wood splits and theres not a thing that can be done, sigh.

Thanks for the advise gjbeemer & Sundown. The log is about 6"-8" in diameter SD. Guess the first thing I need to do is get it inside my shed . The bark is still on it, so I'm gonna give that cotton rag trick a try. Even though I lost the tree, I still refuse to let the wood get wasted or thrown out. I plan on making some wands, runes and such with it. I am surprised however at how lond it takes for the wood to actually dry. Thanks again  

Blessings,

Draco

Finally finished, mostly. Still one pile of split wood to move. A bit more raking and cleaning. Build new fence, etc. About 3 cords of wood put up. Many sticks and such put up to work on in the future.

New growth showing up in lots of places. I think my friend will be OK !

Blessings

Sundown

Such progress, Sundown.  Sorry to see Grandfather lose so much weight at one time but glad he blessed you with so much.

That's great SD! Glad to hear Grandfather Oak  wasn't lost all together . Just a thought: maybe you should fertilize Grandfather Oak just to give him a little extra growing power. I don't know that much about nursing injured plants back to health. But I do know that when I'm healing, I like to eat a little more   .


Blessings,

Draco

tomorrow he will get a sack of fertilize, about 15 foot out from the base, and lots of water. This is what the tree trimmer told me to do, and he seemed to know what he was doing  


Sundown

Great  Hopefully you can get him fattened up enough for the winter months  Luckily, your winters in your neck of the woods is relatively mild compared to mine.

Blessings,

Draco

40 lbs of 8/8/8 spread, watering to soak it in to feeder roots  

Sundown

The new growth doing well, GrandFather Oak looking well, it's been a bit dry here, I think I will give him a long drink of water this weekend  

Sundown

That's great to hear my friend . Been pretty dry here in NJ too (I've heard its the 10th driest summer since they started recording these stats in 1895). Hope all remains well. Hopefully the hurricane season will be a relatively light one (or at least I hope they all stay out at sea). Hopefully the dry conditions will bring an explosion of color to the forest (my favorite time of year )

Blessings,

Draco

Hurricanes stay away   . I will retire this winter so this is my last season for this. I like fall also. I need to get in the woods and find a few more sticks to cure and carve this winter, (before hunting season, idjits here dont know 2 legged from 4 legged in the woods).
Be well bro

Blessings
Sundown

Congrats on the retirement brother! I'm counting the days myself (got about 11 months left)! I hear ya regarding some of the boneheads during hunting season. Personally I prefer to use a bow & arrow. I stay out of the woods during the firearm season up here. Besides, by the time firearm season rolls around up here, I already have a fair amount of venison in the freezer for the kids & me   .

Blessings,

Draco

Save part of Grandfather Oak and make something from him, that you can keep forever.