When to cut a tree

Re: When to cut a tree

John Lucas

>I'm not an expert but have been told by several people that late fall is the best time particularly if you want natural edge bowls.

Re: When to cut a tree

Jerome Laux

>Of course if you live relatively close, anytime in November works for me. :)

Re: When to cut a tree

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>Wait until the tree is dormant (Late fall through mid-Winter). This is when the sugars and water are being held in reserve in the root system. the reduction of these components will reduce cracking and mildew spalt (bluing). The cold weather is also more pleasant to work in and it slows the drying process. Don't forget the Anchorseal.

John

Re: When to cut a tree

Andrew Hilton

>Any time is fine as long as you have the time to take care of it after you take it down. If you want to save as much of it as possible, give yourself some time to seal, cut, and whatever you need to do to be sure it's not going to crack or lay there degrading.

I've found no difference in the time of year it's cut to how well the bark stays on (ie natural edged bowl blanks). If the bark is going to stay on in the first place, it doesn't matter if it's in the dead of winter or in the summer when it's cut. It's not as if the trees drain empty during the winter or the bark sheds (at least in most species here in the USA) during the winter and new bark is completely produced every spring because it sheds it like a bird molting.