Intro

Taking a raw tree and turning it into a bowl is one of the most satisfying feelings and experiences I know.

If this situation hasn’t happened yet to you, it will…

Someone offers you a branch or a few logs or points you in the direction of a downed tree they noticed on the way to work.

At first, this can all seem very exciting. But then the reality of the situation and the real questions begin.

• How and where do I cut the wood?
• Where should I store the cut wood?
• Do I let the wood dry or turn it now?

Whether you’d like to turn a bowl from a small branch that fell in your yard, or if you want to process an entire large tree into wood bowls, this online eCourse is for you.

This online eCourse is a practical guide to harvesting, processing, storing, and drying wood to make bowls.

We will cover the most critical topics to understand the role moisture plays in wood handling. We will learn many ways to locate and cut bowl blanks from raw trees, and we will explore how to safely store and dry the cut or turned wood to reduce and prevent cracking.

This online eCourse will give you real-world examples and information so you can quickly understand what to do the next time you see logs stacked in a ditch or find a storm has downed a neighborhood tree.

We will not be doing complicated math equations or chemistry formulas for determining moisture content. Instead, you will learn hands-on practical techniques that will yield beautiful final bowls.

While we won’t be turning in this eCourse (that’s covered in another eCourse), we will be covering every aspect of preparing wood for the turning process.

Some people speak of “green wood” as a product you might pick up at a local store. However, as we will discuss in detail, rarely is this the case. Often, two pieces of green wood are not the same, nor do they turn or dry similarly.

This means we have to learn to understand the true meaning of green wood and learn how to handle and store it properly. That’s what this course is all about.

My goal for you is to see and find new resources of bowl-turning material around you and get the most from each piece available.

Not only is processing green wood cost-saving and ecological, but it’s enriching to be able to repurpose material that was otherwise destined for firewood, waste, or decomposition.

I have been turning trees into bowls for years now, and I’m excited to share with you the knowledge and wonder I’ve discovered on this journey.

And I’m also eager to help you better understand and overcome some generalizations and myths about green wood processing, storing, and drying.

So sit back, enjoy the lessons and get ready to see how easy it can be to turn raw trees into wood bowls.