Green branch to finished project.

**GeorgieB** · 5th October 2013, 06:51 PM

Hi guys,
I'll just start this by saying I know pretty much nothing about woodwork, apart from a class I took in year 10, 10 years ago, and some reading I have been doing for the past couple of days.

My parents are cutting some branches off one of my favourite childhood trees, a claret ash, and I was thinking it would be nice to do something creative with it. Problem is I don't know how to get from A to B. What should I do to the branch when it comes off the tree? Dad has estimated it at about 120 to 150 mm thick. I thought I would just make some simple coasters from it. Do I need to seal the ends of the branch and dry it for years before using it? Can I cut it up green?

Any advice or tips would be appreciated, I've always had an interest in woodwork since school and thought this might be a good project to get back into it, unless it needs years of course, then I might just get some seasoned wood

thanks!

**issatree** · 6th October 2013, 02:04 AM

Hi GeorgieB,
That is a great Timber.
Well I wood turn it upside down & put some old paint on the one end, & stand it up against a north east wall & it shouldn't take all that long to dry out. Don't forget to write a date on it, as well. By turning it U/S down the water will most likely run out.
I'm a rather big writer, so I have Numbered all my Wood & have my sheets in my shed with names corresponding with the numbers.
I wood leave the Branches in 4ft. lengths or there abouts.

**GeorgieB** · 6th October 2013, 10:46 AM

Thanks Issatree!
I had read that Claret Ash was a nice wood, I wish I had the skills to create something more substantial with it.

Does it matter which end I stand it on? By upside down do you mean paint the end nearest to the trunk and stand it on the end that was nearest the leaves? Sorry might be a silly question just want to make sure I get it right

Also roughly how long do you think it will take?

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!

**rsser** · 6th October 2013, 12:51 PM

Branch wood whole is very unstable in drying. Though Ash is one of the better species.

If you're not in a rush, cut some lengths of around 75mm long, seal the ends with heated paraffin wax or with end grain sealer, and let them sit for a year.

Or with similar lengths, try microwave drying. Google it.

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