The Forestry Forum

I am looking for some thick bark to carve, I know that sounds crazy but it is true.  I have carved some bark, cottonwood I think that is very thick. I have heard that the farther north you go the thicker the bark is. Do any of you northern folks (well north of me) ever come across any? I would like to get some to try some carving santa in. I would be interested if this is in fact true. I have lots of bark but it is little girlie man bark and I am trying to get some thick stuff :D

The Cottonwood bark aound here is huge thick. There is a fella that carves these cool faces allover the trees in a local park.  Ill, try and find a link.

The bark that gets carved down here is Hickory.  Shagbark and pignut have bark 2 or 3 inches thick that dries to 1 1/2 or so and ends up as hard as the wood it encompasses.  If you have access to Hickory, take a look.

Douglas Fir bark on old vets can be 8" + thick down at the stump.D-Fir bark has lots of Red,brown and Tan streaks in it.I don't know how it would carve but it sure burns well.

I've seen old growth redwood bark that was nearly a foot thick.  I stood on the bark with my heels at the edge of the wood and my toes didn't extend beyond the bark.

I know that I am pretty thin-skinned most of the time, but my bark is rather thick. 8)

Douglas-Fir, Western Larch, Ponderosa Pine.

Douglas-Fir probably has the best texture for carving. It's a bit like cork in texture, so sharp carving tools are essential.