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T H E H A N D C A R V E D B O W L

Chapter 1 | H A R V E S T

ASSESSING TREES

By knowing what you are looking for in a tree, you can avoid problems that may arise

later on in the process, such as reaction wood, rot, and twisting grain.

EVEN GROUND

MEANS EVEN

GROWTH

Trees that have grown on level

ground are also most likely to have

grown steadily upright and yield

good carving wood. Trees that

grow on an incline grow inconsis-

tently to make up for this uneven

ground, creating reaction wood

that has the potential to behave

unpredictably after cutting. This

becomes most apparent while the

wood is drying, and may come as

a big surprise to you after putting

in a lot of time and effort to fell,

store, and carve it.

MOSS & FUNGUS

Trees with a significant amount

of moss or fungus may indicate

that rot is already taking place or

is going in that direction. Minimal

amounts of moss are typically fine,

but keep an eye on other signs that

may point toward a not-so-fruit-

ful haul, like woodpecker holes.

Insects like to move in once wood

starts rotting, and the woodpeck-

ers come next in that string of

events. By keeping your eye on

these kinds of activities, you can

save yourself a lot of time, and a

few meals for those woodpeckers.

SPALTING

Spalting can occur during the

rotting process and produce dark

streaks throughout the wood that

can be a desirable design feature.

As with most things, moderation

is the key. If spalting is present,

check for soft, punky spots in the

wood by pressing your fingernail

into it. Smooth, crisp cuts are

never possible when the wood is

punky like this. Structural integ-

rity could also be at stake. Some

people even take fresh logs and

partially bury them to encourage

a more regulated spalting while

keeping a vigilant eye on them.

EVALUATE THE

BARK

The bark on a tree tells a story. If

you pay close attention, it can illu-

minate a lot of what is going on un-

derneath. Consistent bark striation

patterns signify steady, consistent

growth that implies consistent,

straight grain throughout the tree.

Conversely, a twisted or gnarled

bark pattern implies disrup-

tions in that straight, consistent

growth and could imply potential

problems. These evaluations are

extremely valuable in reducing sur-

prises later on, so take your time.

As you carve more, you develop a

keener eye and a more discerning

palate for what is acceptable. This,

of course, comes at the cost of

fiddling with less-than-desirable

wood. But don’t discredit the value

of using less-than-ideal wood; It’s

important to get firsthand experi-

ence learning what works and what

doesn’t. Books can only teach you

so much.

Of course, it’s not always

possible to choose a tree with a

clear trunk, so refer to Preparing

Bowl Blanks on p. 90 to learn how

best to deal with knots and other

defects, anticipated or not.