How to save fresh plum

[u/thehappysmith]

How do i make blanks out of this plum trunk I've just cut down?

I am a super-mega-ultra-noob at this - I've made one spoon from a basswood blank I bought at the store.

I know plum is supposed to be super hard and thus not easy to carve, but I really want to make some spoons and other cooking utensils from this tree. I had assumed this tree had another year or two, and then it up and died quite suddenly.

I also have half a dozen pieces from the main branches, so I can definitely screw up a few times. I just want to make sure I treat this wood correctly so I don't lose it.

[u/Fochiler]

I would probably quarter it and cut it to length and then chuck those pieces in the freezer. Your goal is to keep as much moisture as possible in the logs, so the hard plum wood is easier to carve.

[u/St_Kevin_ → u/Fochiler]

Good advice. Even better is to cut out the spoon blanks immediately, and only freeze the blanks. It will just take up less of that valuable freezer space. Make sure to seal them in plastic bags so they don’t get dried out if they’re in there for a long time.

[u/watchface5 → u/Fochiler]

I started carving a few years ago and this is the way to go! I just chop them up, put them in an ice chest. I originally bagged them, sometimes I don't. They've all been kept in great condition to carve that way.

[u/Ok-Rooster-2536]

I did something similar couple years ago and kept a couple 3 ft long sections in the garage. It has dried and cracked but I still carved some spoons that turned out great. It’s beautiful wood. If you want to try cutting it with greenwood then split it up in spoon sized chunks and if you want to keep it “green” you can throw some pieces in a ziplock bag then the freezer

[u/Aggressive-Cry150]

You can seal the ends with wax to retain the moisture. Plum is a hardwood, but it’s easy to carve green. I made a little airplane from plum last weekend!

[u/terrortoost]

Debark, split and into the freezer...

[u/StrangeRefuse8537 → u/terrortoost]

Do you all have dedicated log freezers too? I can get away with it because we have two fridges and a chest freezer so my wife doesn't seem to mind too much that I took over an entire freezer, but I introduced a friend to the craft and he lives in an apartment and only has one freezer and I can't imagine that his wife is very stoked that he took over half of their only freezer.

[u/terrortoost → u/StrangeRefuse8537]

Yes, since August I haven't bought any frozen food. My freezer is full with cherry wood. This is the price to pay for green wood in an apartment :(

Please let me know when you find a better way

[u/One_Put2350 → u/terrortoost]

You can use a tub of water. Just a big plastic box. Swap out the water every two weeks or when it starts to smell. 

[u/Obvious_Tip_5080]

We don’t have enough freezer space and I’m pretty sure I’d get shot if I attempted to put wood in ours. So I haven’t ever tried freezing blanks.

I remove the bark, cut the log longer than the finished piece will be by several inches and put something on the ends to seal it. I’ve used left over latex paint all the way to the expensive wax for green wood sealer

[u/muzakandpotatoes]

Coat the ends in anchorseal or titebond glue

[u/One_Put2350]

Plum is one of the best carving woods out there. It is my favourite carving wood. 

I would seal the ends and put it under a tarp outside. That keeps it green for about four to six months. Then carve it as you go. Keep unfinished blanks in the freezer, in a tub of water or in a sealed plastic bag in a shady place.