Removing bark from elm

[Len]

Hi guys, was wondering if any of you have any tips for getting bark off elm. I cut and split some pieces and put them in the shed 5months ago and now find its damned hard to get the bark off. I'm guessing I should have done it when it was green.

[bambule]

Yeah, you're right - it's much more easier to debark when the wood is green. I always debark white wood directly after cutting. Now it's a hard way to make the staves clean  .
But you will love the staves because of the more work you put in...

Greetz
Cord

[El Destructo]

5 months ago it would have been tough....when the Sap is down they are harder to remove Bark...but once Dry....it is really tough....you might try to soak it in Water for a Day...I have done this with good results....or just get to scraping...it don't take that long!!!!!!!!!

[Hillbilly]

Soaking dry staves in water seems counter productive to me, as hard as it is to get them dry to begin with. Winter cut wood can be a beeotch to get the bark off of, but it's not that bad. Some careful work with a drawknife (bevel down) and scraper will get it off without too much trouble.

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

i just start scraping, it may seem like its goin slow but once you get started you'll forget about how long it takes, it goes by quick enough.   i use a draw knife for the majority and then use the draw knife as a scraper once i get close to wood.- Ryan

[El Destructo]

Soaking it for a Day wont get the Wood wet enough to notice...just softens the Bark....but I would just use a Dull Drawknife and a Scraper myself as stated in my first reply.the Stave that I did soak.was a Red Elm....and the Bark slip right off after soaking it....and the Wood still rang when thumped on the Garage floor....didn't have any ill effects on it at all...just another way to skin a dead cat..don't need to do it

[escanabajosh]

try a presure washer......i dont' know how well it will work on elm but i know cedar it flys right off. if ya get a bigger one it might work.....i know a guy who sprays off burls and it cleans em right up and rips all the bark off.

[Pat B]

If the wood was cut during the dormant season the bark will be difficult to remove. If cut during the growing season it should come off easier whether it is green or dry.     Pat

[sailordad]

i know from experience,5 yrs on the local parks forestry crew. if the tree was cut in the summer,and left untill winter with the bark on. when the wood is frozen you can take a hatchet and nock just about all off it off in one well placed whack.

we cut elms down to prevent the spread of dutch elm disease and used the wood in the winter for the warming houses at the ice rinks. city ordinance made us peel all the elm bark off for some reason. but it does come off real well when the wood is frozen.

so just send it to me and by the end of next winter the bark will be off

                                                                        tim

[Len]

Thanks heaps guys, I should have added that 5 months ago it was  summer here in Australia. Looks like there isn't some magical trick to make it quick and easy so I'll just get scrappin

[radius]

Australia?  Hey, do you know the town called Waga Waga?

[Len]

Hey radius, I know of Wagga Wagga but have never been there, its a fair way off from where I live ( southern Victoria ) probabaly 8-10 hrs drive away.

[El Destructo]

Len .....have you ever been to Walcha, New South Wales??? I got a Mate that lives ther.....name Grahame Bray....I made Bow's for Him and his two Sons Izaiha and Ethan ......they are really good People...

[radius]

I met an australian when i was in hong kong last year, and he told me about this singer whose song goes:

"You don't call Wagga Wagga Wagga.  You call Wagga Wagga Wagga Wagga."

I guess the locals would abbreviate the  name or something.

[BigWapiti]

Something I have used with some rather interesting success on winter cut VM is a big long screwdriver.  I start with a dull heavy scraper to get most of the bark off before getting close to the wood.  Once the bulk of the bark is off, I'll holding both ends of the screwdriver, one on the handle the other out near the tip.  I press downward while I rub back and forth over the bark/cambium.  After a bit of time the cambium thats seemingly stuck hard to the wood starts to lift.  I've not had any problems with this violating the back either.  Once you get the hang of it, you'll find how best to do it without harming the wood.  I usually start on the belly side of the stave just for practice.

Give it a shot, let me know if its just me or it its a fluke.   certainly works for VM tho.

Mike