Birch bark find

[AliMck]

I was walking in the woods near work yesterday lunch time and found a rotting silver birch. I lifted a log and the insides sploshed out leaving me with a beautiful sleeve of silver birch intact.

I can't make my mind up if I should leave this intact and use it to make a couple of small buckets or cut it and flatten it out. I can't scrape it clean when it is circular but does this really matter?

What would you suggest? This will be my first bark project so any ideas welcome.

Thanks
Alison

 

[John Fenna]

Keep it round!
Once it is totally dry the muck on the inside should clean off with a careful rub with a pan scourer.

 

[brancho]

How thick is the bark

 

[AliMck]

Hello Alf

I would say it is about 1mm thick. Not paper thin though so could use it for something. I have left it outside under cover until I know what I am doing with it.

My go back and take a look for some more next week.

Alison

 

[HeltorChasca]

A friend has a bucket for their fire-place kindling made out of one piece of birch bark. It's unusual, a real conversation piece and is just damned lovely. It has been called "The elephant's foot that isn't an elephant's foot!"

Let us know what you do with it........hc