Tupelo Wood Selection Tips for Decoy Carvers

[@PurdyDecoys]

Thanks for the video as always!!!

[@tomchristieart]

Sure thing! Thanks for checking it out.

[@mikeharder6487]

Thanks for that video Tom. I love your videos, they have helped me immensely since I discovered your channel. My dilemma is that any tupelo wood is not available where I live on the west coast of Canada 60 miles east of Vancouver. I have tried to order a decoy sized block of tupelo online but the few avenues that would ship it to me charge an insane amount of money. It would be like carving gold, absolutely out of reach financially. I carve with western red cedar that grows like weeds here instead. Mike Harder.

[@tomchristieart]

That makes sense Mike. I try to attend a few decoys shows to stock up on wood and avoid the shipping charges whenever possible. Cedar is a great choice and especially when it’s readily available. Thanks for your note!

[@duckmanbhb]

Thank you Tom, good material as normal. I have not seen as much inconsistency in Tupelo as I have in Basswood. You can have a what looks to be a beautiful piece of basswood for a head, and it can really have some hard spots in it. I am working on this Goldeneye now, and that head has spots in it that the Foredom have a tough time getting through. Thank you, Bruce Brandeberry

[@tomchristieart]

Thanks Bruce. I agree about basswood. My first decoys were made in basswood. Great carving wood but can get pretty hard in spots. 👍

[@kevinspafford1334]

Great instruction video.

[@tomchristieart]

Glad it was helpful Kevin!

[@brianmagelky6946]

Thanks for the great video Tom. I noticed that the blocks of tupelo under your bench are all dated. Do you season your wood prior to carving and if so, how long do you typically season the blocks. Thanks.

[@tomchristieart]

You are welcome Brian. I just date the wood so I know which batch it’s from and when I purchased. I don’t wait to season the wood as it is all dry when purchased.

[@kentlee7494]

Great video Tom! I have had some really hard blocks and some with that staining on them. I have some with that stain on them,where the bur will dig a hole in the block . You move the bur another inch or so and it’s hard as brick. 😂Have you had anything like that happen to you? I wonder if that particular wood was above the water line instead of below the water line? I don’t know if that makes any sense.

[@tomchristieart]

Yep! Definitely some variation. There is also the issue of availability. sometimes I do select wood that is heavier than preferred but I’d rather have wood to carve than none at all. 😆 Thanks for your comments.

[@stephengent9974]

Thing își don't live any where near a retailer of Tupelo, so have to order on-line. So far the quality of the pieces I have bought are variable to say the least. I don't see how I can get round this issue

[@tomchristieart]

That is a tough one Stephen. Shipping can be pricey as well.

[@ericschirmer76]

Where are some good places to order tupelo? I live in Central MS

[@tomchristieart]

@@ericschirmer76 I have heard Ron Stephens [phone] has nice Tupelo, or Brad Ketrick from North Carolina.