How long do wood carvings last? Can chainsaw carvings be left outside?

There are a number of factors that influence the integrity of wood carvings; Tree species, carving placement or sump location, maintenance schedule, moisture, pests, all effect the life of your tree carving. Trees are organic material. Hard woods may last longer as stumps in the ground than softer woods. Some carvings last as long as 30 years as stumps in the ground while others may succumb to the elements sooner. on average, tree stump carving outside will last at least 10 years before possibly needing a “facelift” or touch ups by the artist. Carvings in the ground should be watched closely for any signs of fungus, and bugs around the base and roots of the tree, and sprayed accordingly. applying a wood preservative liberally by sprayer or brush every 1-2 years is crucial to giving your sculpture a long lasting life. Carvings kept indoors or under covered porches, on the other hand, typically require less maintenance.

How do I maintain my chainsaw carving?

Applying a high quality wood preservative such as Australian Timber Oil by Cabot, or other comparable sealer, is crucial to extending the life of your carving, while keeping it looking like new. We prefer using an oil based preservative, as it penetrates the wood better and leaves a nicer finish. But, if a water based sealer is the only option available, it will work fine. Application should be done at least once every year or 2, during a dry stretch of weather. Application is easiest with a handheld sprayer and typically just takes a few minutes for most carvings. Keep moisture away if possible. Redirect sprinkler and irrigation systems away from the tree stump to avoid rot and fungus growth. If rotting persists in the base of the tree- don’t worry, in most cases, the tree carving can be cut away from the stump and moved to a concrete pad to prevent further rot up the tree, and extend the life of your carving.

How far do you travel? How tall can the carving be?

I travel all over the country creating custom sculptures for my clients. Wherever the tree is, I will follow! Recent places I have carved this year include Nashville Tennesse, Evansville Indiana, Atlanta Georgia, Anderson South Carolina, Tampa Florida, Jacksonville Florida, Eupora Mississippi, Asheville North Carolina, Tuscaloosa Alabama, Gatlinburg Tennessee, and much more! I use my own scaffolding, and can reach heights of 25-30 ft tall.

Will my tree carving crack?

Yes. It is an inevitable part of any wood that has not been milled and kiln dried. the center of each log possesses stress that wants to release as the wood fibers dry and shrink. This is a normal part of owning any chainsaw carving, and can add character to your sculpture. There are some ways to prevent excessive cracking, however. Keeping your carving out of direct sunlight or heat for large amounts of time helps reduce the speed and severity of the cracks. When a sculpture is finally done cracking, wood filler may be applied to fill them. Larger cracks can be repaired professionally by the artist with Gorrilla glue and sawdust, then sculpted and sanded back evenly to blend it in with the rest of the sculpture.