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[JK Lewis]

I took some advice from the forum on how best to season the willow I harvested earlier this month. I think I rushed into it a little with the first 2 rounds, taken from the top of the tree trunk. After just 3 weeks, the clefts sawn from round 4 (the high point of the trunk) have split badly, beyond repair I reckon. The rings are so tight, the clefts split from the centre.





The clefts from round 3, the next one down the trunk, seem to be OK so far. The diameter of the trunk is slightly greater, which enabled me to avoid the very centre of the tree. With luck, these 2 clefts will come out OK.

So moving on, I took an opportunity yesterday evening, to strip the bark from rounds 1 and 2. They have been sat in the garage for the last 3 weeks, and cracks are appearing already, at least at the top and bottom.



My drawknife proved to be perfect for the stripping job, which is good as I have been struggling to use it on the partmades I bought to practice on and was beginning to think that I had wasted my money. It is an interesting process, the stripping. There are 2 clear layers of bark, the tough brown outer, and a soft pink inner layer - the growth layer I guess.



At first I left the pink layer, but I soon noticed that a huge amount of moisture is held between the pink bark and the yellow wood core. So, I figured it would be best to strip right down to the wood.



So, in the end, this is what I was left with:



I plan to leave the 2 stripped rounds for a few weeks, and then find someone with wedges and a big hammer. I hope to be able to split and saw at least 2-3 suitable size clefts from the 2 rounds, but success will depend on where the cracks form. There may be a number of junior size bats being crafted!

It is easy to see the problems with immature willow. The experiment is interesting so far, but to do this properly, we're gonna need a bigger tree.

All comments and suggestions welcomed.
 

[Buzz]

I am really enjoying reading about your experiment.
Very sorry you have lost those original clefts.
Shows how important sealing the ends well is.

[JK Lewis]

Yeah, to be honest I think that they would have split anyway. The trunk was getting so narrow at that level it was useful to experiment with, but really wasn't fit for purpose. I can now better understand the importance of a tree's diameter, to cut clefts which can dry evenly, without cracking or splitting. The perfect grains we all hope for are not just decorative, they are the result of the correct cutting, as well as the right amount of growth.

[Seniorplayer]

The splits in your roundels will help the willow dry.
Keep the willow elevated off the ground as this will the stop the wilow soaking up moisture from the ground and prevent willow fungus.
With  regard to willow splitting it can be hard or easy depending on where on the willow tree the wood is from generally the higher up the tree the willow the harder to split.

[Vitas Cricket]

I'm far from an expert but whenever i've seen rounds being split, the bark is still present.

[leatherseat]

This is a really interesting project. Thanks for the photos and update. I can't provide any useful info, on the willow drying/ seasoning, other than to suggest not throwing away those that seem to be split beyond useable size. You mention making some junior bats, also there are narrow training bats and shorter 'catching' bats, which could be crafted. All of which will give useful bat-crafting practice.
I have wedges that you are welcome to use (or I can help with that element) if you happen to be based anywhere near North Leicestershire.

Good luck,

David

[Calzehbhoy]

I'm far from an expert but whenever i've seen rounds being split, the bark is still present.

Does he realise he's using the axe wrong?

[JK Lewis]

I'm far from an expert but whenever i've seen rounds being split, the bark is still present.

Thanks for the image, useful. I guess there are various thoughts on this, I'll see how things progress. Probably, the correct splitting is more important than whether the bark is stripped or not. I am going to find another tree anyway, similar in size to that shown in the picture you posted. Then I can try different options to see what works best.

[JK Lewis]

This is a really interesting project. Thanks for the photos and update. I can't provide any useful info, on the willow drying/ seasoning, other than to suggest not throwing away those that seem to be split beyond useable size. You mention making some junior bats, also there are narrow training bats and shorter 'catching' bats, which could be crafted. All of which will give useful bat-crafting practice.
I have wedges that you are welcome to use (or I can help with that element) if you happen to be based anywhere near North Leicestershire.

Good luck,

David

Thanks David. I'm not based near you, but I do pass fairly close on occasions when driving north. If the timing works out, I'll let you know.
Best wishes, Justin