bit of Advice please

[Logsnstuff]

I'am clearing some windblown oak atm and there are a few old stumps around as I know absolutely nothing about carving are these any good for carving and are they worth my time hauling out. couple of pics as an example the bigger one is around 26" diameter and I guess around 48-50" high from the tip of the root. apologies if they are on the big side straight from my phone.

[dervishcarving]

Hi

Im based in aberdeen and i carve quite a lot of elm. I like carving elm even though itc an be like concrete

but it has 2 main problems. 1- it can be rotten at the base. 2- wind-shakes or whatever them things are called are a complete nightmare

I currently have 2 lovely-looking sticks (1.5- 2 foot diameter, 8 or 10 foot long), look lovely with just a hint of a crack around the center .... but they are worthless. The crack goes the full length and starts to open up a while after carving. I have 2 carvings now that looked fine at the time, but a week or 3 after and the cracks open up and they are rubbish.

conclusion... if you want to carve them and use them for practice.. go ahead. great wood for carving and a lovely finishing-wood.

but if you considering them for sale (either carved or selling to carver) i would be very hesitant

 

just my 2p worth

[Logsnstuff]

thanks guess I will leave them in the wood just seemed a waste

[dervishcarving]

others might disagree. might also be worth milling them. short but wide boards. might have to be quartersawn, im no milling expert

[Logsnstuff]

there's better stuff for milling if I only had a mill but for now just sell it on.

[Woodcrafter]

Sand blast Flip them over and put a piece of second hand glass on top of the root worth a fortune to the right buyer.

[timbernut]

Id get em out, I have a few at home and people always comment and want to buy!

[silky fox]

Agree with woodcrafter....tree roots are a work of art.

[timbernut]

Yep hav seen em for sale, tarted up, for hundreds of pounds, these r mine:

[Logsnstuff]

I will see if I can get another 2 or 3 out and give them a power wash fella along the road has taken a grinder to one and cut a seat in on the trunk and a cup rest in the root ball looks quite smart for a barbecue