Holly and hazel

[bowman]

I have just aquired some freshly felled holly and hazel - can I carve it green or should I wait for it to season?
If green, should I avoid the heartwood to reduce splitting?
Are they safe on food utensils?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Toddy]

I have just aquired some freshly felled holly and hazel - can I carve it green or should I wait for it to season?
If green, should I avoid the heartwood to reduce splitting?
Are they safe on food utensils?

Any help much appreciated.

Green holly splits like anything, I have a pole lathe turned spindle whorl that is in three bits somewhere that was made from green holly. I don't know if it does that if the timber is split before working though. If allowed to season it is a beautiful timber, especially for carving fine stuff.

http://www.ashs.co.uk/PageAccess.aspx?id=49

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Longstrider]

Holly is best seasoned before working in my opinion as it will often split whilst drying out if carved green. It's a lovely fine grained white wood thats really hard so is good for detailed work and items that will see a good deal of wear.

Interesting point on the link you posted Toddy... "Working Properties: Moderate blunting, some tendency to char and burn on sawing." Me-thinks I might have to dry a piece out and see what it's like as a hearth or drill for the fire bow. I've not heard of it being used, but it looks like there's a good possibility of it being well suited to the job.

 

[bowman]

Thanks chaps

Good link Toddy. I'll just have to wait to play with the holly then. Anyone know if hazel is likely to behave itself green?