Stump Carvings
A stump carving can make an unusual feature or focal point in a garden. Owls are the most popular requests but other birds and animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, bears and badgers are all possible.
Stump Requirements for Carving
Your stump needs to be a minimum of 3ft (90cms) high and a minimum of 8 inches (20cms) in diameter. There needs to be a clear half meter around the stump for the carver to access all angles. It should be healthy (rot and decay is usually clearly visible in the cross section). A little rot at the edges is OK but if the heart has holes or soft, discoloured patches, that is a sign that the stump is not in good condition and is thus unsuitable for carving.
Your stump must be free of metal (nails, staples, screws, etc, will wreck the carver’s chain).
The following trees are not recommended for stump carvings as they deteriorate rapidly outdoors when cut down: Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Ash, Willow and Poplar.
The Carver’s Requirements
Stumps over 5ft will need platforms erected around them to enable the carver to reach all parts of the carving. Bear in mind the carver needs to be able to transport this equipment, as well as assorted chainsaws, easily from the parking spot – so not too far away from the stump please. The extra time and skill level required to use platforms is reflected in the prices of the carvings in the table below.
It is very helpful if the customer can send the carver a photo of the stump prior to the work commencing. Also a clear idea of what carving the customer wants is useful to have.
Detail work that enhances the final outcome such as eyes and talons on an owl for example, is done with power tools. Thus the carver will need access to an electric point a maximum of 40m from the stump.
Why Burnish?
It is entirely up to the customer but burnishing is recommended by the carver to clear the surface of fuzzy splinters left by the chainsaw. It also adds a little lowlight (shadow) detail and dries the surface prior to treatment. However if the customer wants a raw chainsaw only finish that they can treat themselves at a later date then that is fine.
How Long will my Stump Carving Last?
Assuming the stump is healthy you will get several years life out of your carving as stumps often try to regenerate and sprout more branches and leaves. It also helps if you regularly treat the carving each spring and autumn with an outdoor wood furniture oil such as clear decking oil.
It is possible to further increase this lifespan (if you have a smallish carving) by asking the carver to remove the carving and re-attach it the base inserting a plastic membrane. Metal straps would then need to be screwed either side of the carving and the base to secure it. Allow a further £50 to the budget if this is required. This cuts off moisture to the carving and is especially useful if the stump has a little peripheral rot in it. For large carvings more than half a meter in length you would need to get a quote from a tree surgeon for this work.
Price Guide
The following is a rough guide to the cost of the carving. It is based on a single bird/animal/other item. If the width of the stump can accommodate it, then multiples of carvings are possible. Allow an extra £100 for each additional bird/animal to be included. For example two owls carved at different heights, facing different directions in a 5ft single stump will cost £300 chainsaw only or £350 burnished & oiled or £400 burnished and oiled, detail finished and colour stained. Please see example pictures.
Price Guideline Table
|
Stump Dimensions (height) |
Basic Carve: Chainsaw Only. Owl, Squirrel, etc |
Burnished (with torch) and Oiled |
Burnished, detail carved with power tools, oiled and colour stained |
|
3 – 5ft (80 – 150cms) |
£200 |
£250 |
£300 |
|
5ft+ – 10ft (160 – 300) |
£250 |
£300 |
£350 |
carrie on carving 