AusBonsai

Just wondering if anyone has tried to carve a bougie before and was there anything one needs to get it right...
have a few large collected ones (they are ugly so carving may help them...lol) that are going to be used as trials but thought if i had some sort of info about them they may have a chance of survival....can i use lime sulfar to preserve the carved wood,how deep can you go (which way does the sap flow)
any other valuable information would be great...

Hey Krittas, Bougies can be sucessfully carved at this time of the year,they are pumping along strongly at the moment...(don't do yours now if they aren't) Being a very soft wood,they leave a sort of "fibery" sort of finish which will benefit from a light touch up with a butane torch when the wood dries a bit...application of a wood preserver ala lime sulphur,or earl's wood hardener is a must ! I've seen Bougies carved heavily and still kick along strongly afterwards..it's always a good idea to have a plan drawn up ,and apply a few guiding marks ,before launching into it! "saplines" are not always clearly apparent ,but not isolating branches you want to keep,from the roots below ,with a big carved area,should see them survive. if not ,they usually pop all over the place,so another branch choice is not a problem.Lastly, make sure you wear correct protective gear,-eye protection but especially dust protection as I know of one bloke who spent time in hospital with a chest infection after sucking Bougie dust ....good luck mate, with your bougies AND ankle ....Dog.

I agree with every thing Dog says, except to add that you MUST take photos before, during and after to post here so we can all see
ps. I use Earls Wood hardener on mine for the exposed sections

Ken

well thanks gents for the replies....

Dog: im going to give it ago 2moro i hope..went to the big B today and got some earls wood hardner...didnt know that the dust from bougies were harmfull...best thing about this site is you learn something everyday.The trees have shoots all over them and seem to be growing strong....As for the ankle went to the specialists today and found out that i cant walk on it for at least another 5 wks...

Ken: will take some b4 and after pics and see what happens as the trees are just ones ive dug up out of my mums garden and thought why not have a play...What have i got to loose

Just one other question: do you allowthe carved area to dry out for a few days before applying the wood hardner????

Rob

hi krittas
how did you go with the boug carving i see no pictures yet
cheers dean the terror