Official Luthiers Forum!

I got some 20" diameter butternut last week & have chain sawed it to some manageable sizes & would like to remove the bark. I tried splitting some of it off but it's on there real good. Will it loosen up over some period of time . Do I have to worry about bugs?
MM

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Mike McNerney

Yes, remove the bark and seal the ends. It's easier to de-bark when the tree is cut in the winter.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Good to get the bark off. Prevents bug and rot damage. If it's loose, I use a flat pry bar. If tight, a drawknife.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Mike, the bark will loosen as the drying process begins to happen. Some of it should even curl off by itself. The rest you can pry off or just wait a little longer until it dries more.

I see this as a bit of experiment. I want to try resawing a small number of side & back material to the .187 to .250 thickness & air dry t for 3 months (well stickered & weighted; and then bring it indoors. I think I heard 4 decades ago that some woods can be stained by improper species stickering? Any comments?
MM

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Mike McNerney

As far as bark removal, I do just as Howard does when I process birch or maple. I would remove it asap unless you want some spalting or stain. The bugs will get into the sapwood if the wood is outside and remains a bit damp and the bark is still on. As for sticker stain, it can indeed be an issue. Use dry low oil/resin woods, like spruce. Or use some plastics...

Shane

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Canada