Post #428609 by Benzart on Tue, Jan 13, 2009 8:42 PM

Carving Palms, what types are best, about curing and All that stuff.
Some Palms you think are Uncarvable:
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Queen and Royal or Cuban Royal also called Cement palm because it looks like a cement pole and the wood is about as hard, unfortunately the usable wood is only 3 to 4 inches on the outside with the inside all turning to Mush. Curing this involves getting a fresh log and cutting it to the size you want and Digging out all the stringy Pulp BEFORE it turns to rotten mush. IF that has happened, it's too late, chunk it all otherwise you have a Beautiful hollow shell useful for MANY types carving and the remaining wood will be very hard and FINE and will take a furniture finish. Just let your imagination take over ie, hollow tiki with plants and lighting,, Beautiful carves shelving and storage, with multiple sizes, tiki within a tiki within a tiki within a tiki ,with.....you get the picture. The related but smaller Queen palm, an exact twin, Both have beautiful smooth bark De barking NOT required
...............Coconut Palm, Many varieties.
When cured properly, the Absolute best carving wood among the Palms I think. The wood is Very hard and tough. Carves with chisels nicely and will accept Minute detail. The curing is the issue and I DON'T Know the best way. I've found them cured after dying remaining in the upright position for unknown times. I know if you cut one fresh it is usually not carvable for awhile and will turn to mush easily Maybe someone else knows that secret. Get some.
......Cabbage Palm, Sable palm, Florida State tree.
Again a few different varieties Very splintery, usually Firm but soft. Quick carve If you get it fresh grab the"Hearts-of-Palm" goodies near the top. Delicious and you can eat it ON the Spot for lunch then carve the tiki with that energy!
However The tree IS PROTECTED so careful with randomly eradicating them or else face hefty fines, there are Plenty landscape take-downs.
.............Washingtonian or Chinese Fan palm, Mexican fan palm, all the same tree basically. Same here as the west coast (Cal) they can get Huge and are Firm wooded trees that are Stable and carvable Fresh but better cured a few months.
There are MANY MANY More types of palms and Most all ARE Carveable in some manner or another but ALL Depend on the curing action taken or being lucky enough to find one ready to go Suggestion, Carry your chainsaw in the back seat and ALWAYS be on the lookout for felled trees of ANY Kind. STOP and grab a chunk to test out. If there is a crew cutting them down, ask for permission, explain your intentions, don't ask them to get it for you, they hate to let the boss see them wasting their time. Make friends and find their schedules.
This discussion could fill a book but my part will be short. I carved many years in Fort lauderdale to Boca area and NEVEZR once ran out of wood and in fact supplied wiood to several carvers who just couldn't manage to ever get much on their own. I Always had an abundance and was fairly free with it. I gave it away because It had cost me nothing but my time. in Most cases.
Now Get out there and Find that wood!!! :P :) :D