Rustic Benches From Tree Trunk - advice please

**BriGuy22** · 08-14-2012, 12:31 PM

Greetings all,
I am a semi-novice woodworker. Last spring brought heavy rains and I had a large oak tree fall in my backyard. At the advice of a friend who split them with large chain saw - I made benches. There are four benches 2 are about 8' long and 2 are about 6' long. I planned and sanded them nice, but not too smooth as I wanted a bit of a rustic feel.

I let them dry until fall when I planned them one last time to get the beautiful color back. Then I put wood-putty in the cracks and applied a heavy coat of spar-urethane to the top and cut ends.

It has been one year and the bark fell and was taken off by me to sto/slow any bug infestation and rot from the trapped moisture.

Recently I was advised, and it made sense that the spar-urethane would hinder the natural drying process and that I should remove it and allow the wood to dry and split and just put green wood sealer on the cut ends.

Has anyone had any experience with these that they could speak of, or suggestions??

The area where the bark was is currently untreated.

I will try to upload pics - THANKS!!

**BriGuy22** · 08-14-2012, 12:47 PM

I would upload photos if I could get it to work. They are jpg, and only 29kb, thumbnails - but every time I get the "upload failed error". I would be happy to email them to anyone that could help, or just wants to see them. Thanks!

**deepsplinter** · 08-15-2012, 04:43 AM

I've tinkered with "log furniture" off and on for years.

I wouldn't do anything to them unless the moisture in the log starts forming an ugly, moldy look under the finish. if/when it does, strip it and let it dry another year or so.

Yeah, the finish will slow the drying process, but so what. It ain't fine furniture. IMO, as long as it looks good, you're good to go.

**BriGuy22** · 08-17-2012, 08:55 AM

Thanks Dave AKA: DeepSplinter - I was hoping that you would reply as I saw in other forums that you do a lot with outdoor furniture. (I did search the forums for this topic before posting.)

Would you do anything with the areas where the bark was, or leave them alone so it can dry?

Also, I cut a section of trunk to be the base for the benches. The day I set them was a bit rushed as a friend brought his tractor over to help hoist them. So, I have not done anything with these as well. I was going to at least lift them with a follr jack and put gravel under the base so it does not sit and water. Should I put urethane on this underneath side? What about the top side?

I greatly appreciate your advice!! -Brian

(I tried again to upload photos - no luck. Maybe I can message them to you. I'll try that.)

**deepsplinter** · 08-17-2012, 12:10 PM

Posting pics here are iffy at best. I don't even try any more.

Would you do anything with the areas where the bark was, or leave them alone so it can dry?

IMO, the moisture needs to escape...somewhere. I'd leave it as is. If it were me, I'd "unseal" the ends, too. The end grain is where I've had trouble with mold under the spar varnish. (You can see it in the pic that I e-mailed)

Also, I cut a section of trunk to be the base for the benches. The day I set them was a bit rushed as a friend brought his tractor over to help hoist them. So, I have not done anything with these as well. I was going to at least lift them with a follr jack and put gravel under the base so it does not sit and water. Should I put urethane on this underneath side? What about the top side?

Those "chips" are what I've played around with more than "ripped logs". IMO, they need to dry out slowly (with no finish) somewhere out of the weather. Even then, it's almost a sure bet that they'll split wide open. Not much you can do to stop that. I guess they'll serve the same purpose, split or not. After they've dried as long as you can wait (rule of thumb is one year per inch of thickness), then I'd put some good spar varnish on them...top & bottom. (see "end grain" comment above) Gravel under them is a good idea.

I've found that the main thing with logs & chips is letting them dry as much as possible before putting a finish on them. Usually 2-3 years. Nobody wants to hear that, but it's just the way it is.

Grab a beer or two, sit back, and wait. Good luck!