What are the softest woods for carving?

Woods such as Lime, Alder, Willow, Poplar and Birch are very soft to carve, making them perfect for practicing. There's more to what makes a wood 'easy' to carve than how soft it is though. And a lot of the nicest woods are a bit tougher, so experiment and see what you like best!

thegreenwoodguild.com - Sourcing Wood - The Green Wood Guild

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Sourcing Wood

Finding your own wood is part of the fun. Don’t just go wondering off into the woods & lopping off branches though! Here’s our guide on what to look for and where to get it.

What wood do I want?

As a general rule the best wood to use for carving is from ‘leafy’ hardwood trees, rather than softwoods such as pines and conifers. Hardwoods will often have a denser grain structure which tends to be nicer to carve, and means that they absorb less moisture, which is important when making something functional like a spoon! Woods such as Lime, Alder, Willow, Poplar and Birch are very soft to carve, making them perfect for practicing. There’s more to what makes a wood ‘easy’ to carve than how soft it is though. And a lot of the nicest woods are a bit tougher, so experiment and see what you like best! Some other beautiful woods for carving are Sycamore, Cherry (and other fruit woods), Beech and Rowan. There’s too many wonderful woods to list here, and no two trees are ever the same – Half the fun is discovering the unique qualities for yourself!

Fresher the better

Try to get wood while it’s still ‘green’, meaning it’s still full of moisture. Wood that’s dried out is not so great, reject wood that’s rotten too. Use a fresh piece of wood straight away, or store it at home. Keep it raised off the ground and cover it to shield it from the sun and rain.

Clean and Straight

When you’re carving you’re working with the fibres in the wood. Life is much easier when the grain is straight and free from knots. Look for a straight branch or log, with smooth outer bark and minimal knots or side branches.

Where can I find wood?

A walk in the woods is always nice and you may find a fallen branch that is just the ticket. When you’re luck isn’t on your side though, make friends with your local tree surgeon or park warden. Tree surgeons are constantly pruning or felling trees, usually because they’re becoming unsafe. So see if you can pop along when they have a job nearby and rescue a nice piece or two from the chipper! Some surgeons will have yard too that you may be able to peruse if you ask nicely. Park wardens always seem to be very friendly folk, and they’ll often have piles of recently cut branches or logs. These can be a real treasure trove. If it’s an axe block you’re after, you may need something a bit bigger. Something 1ft in diameter and 2 ft long is perfect for a knee high axe block. Ask a tree surgeon to keep a section back for you when they’re felling a good sized tree, ideally with a flat surface so that it stands nice and vertical without wobbling.

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Is basswood dust toxic?

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with basswood.

wood-database.com - Basswood | The Wood Database (Hardwood)

Color/Appearance: Pale white to light brown color, with sapwood and heartwood sections not clearly defined. Growth rings tend to be subtle, and color is mostly uniform throughout the face grain of the wood. Knots and other defects are uncommon. Workability: Easy to work, being very soft and light. Perhaps one of the most suitable wood species for hand carving. Basswood also glues and finishes well, but has poor steam bending and nail holding characteristics. Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with basswood. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Widely available as lumber or carving blanks. Prices are in the lower range for a domestic hardwood, though larger carving blocks can be more expensive. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. Comments: Species in the Tilia genus are usually referred to as either lime or linden in Europe, while in North America the trees are most commonly called basswood. Basswood is an ideal wood for many woodcarvers. Its soft, fine, even texture make it easy to work with, while its pale, inconspicuous color doesn’t detract from the carved patterns of the finished product (which also makes it easier to paint and color). Though basswood has high initial shrinkage, the wood is stable in service after it has been dried. And though the wood is both lightweight and soft, it has an outstanding MOE-to-weight ratio. However, its MOR is on par with its low weight; simply put, when put under stress, the wood will remain stiff, but will still break (rupture) at a relatively average weight.

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