All Replies on Apple wood wreath

I think if it were me I’d form them green, and allow them to dry formed. LOML does this often, she also makes baskets from riven wood, and greatly prefers hardwoods to be wet, over dry when trying to shape them.

2 to 3” diameter is gonna be tough to bend without a solid form, and at that size on a limb, I’d think hot, wet, and steamy would work best. I personally would limit my thick ends to be around 3/4” max, with 1/2” being optimal for making a “frame” to lace the thinner pieces into. Now if you had thicker pieces if you don’t turn, or smoke meats I’d see if local turners might want that bigger stuff.

-- Think safe, be safe

Lumberjocks, I have some fresh Apple wood branches and I am looking to make slices and then turn them into wreaths. What is the best way to dry the slices? They are about 2-3” in diameter. Thanks so much.

- SethA73

Looks like the OP is not bending branches to make wreaths. We might need more explanation of the desired end result.

I apologize for any confusion my Apple wood wresth question raised. I am not bending the branches. I am making slices.

Your best bet would be a wood stabilizer like Polyethylene glycol. Soak the slices in it for the period suggested on the label. Pentacryl (exact chemical content unknown to me) would work too

-- Les B, Oregon