A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae.
Birch species are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate and boreal climates. The simple leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. They often appear in pairs, but these pairs are really borne on spur-like, two-leaved, lateral branchlets. The fruit is a small samara, although the wings may be obscure in some species. They differ from the alders (Alnus, another genus in the family) in that the female catkins are not woody and disintegrate at maturity, falling apart to release the seeds, unlike the woody, cone-like female alder catkins.
The bark of all birches is characteristically marked with long, horizontal lenticels, and often separates into thin, papery plates, especially upon the paper birch. Distinctive colors give the common names gray, white, black, silver and yellow birch to different species.
The buds, forming early and full-grown by midsummer, are all lateral, without a terminal bud forming; the branch is prolonged by the upper lateral bud. The wood of all the species is close-grained with a satiny texture and capable of taking a fine polish; its fuel value is fair.
Photo Shop
“Photo Shop” is the section of Wood Chip Chatter where carvers can send in photos of their wood carvings for display. It’s your chance to show off your work…sort of a show and tell. The photos will only be displayed and no comments or critiques will be made. For critiques on your carvings send them in to the “Carver’s Corner.” Send your photos to: rwkoz51@gmail.com
My good friend, Kathy Savage sent in some photos of a dog she recently carved as a commission. Kathy writes:
“Greetings, not sure if these photos went thru the 1st time. This neuro was a request ( and a commission) by the owner of a doggie daycare care that our lab goes to. It is over 12 Inches high, carved then fur burnt in.
thanks, kathy”
Terrific job, Kathy! Thanks for the photos!
Here is a photo of a colorful flower carved by my good friend, Shannon Coker:
Very nice job, Shannon! Thanks for the photo!
My very good friend, Jim Babcock sent in a photo of a relief carving he made. Jim says:
“Bob:
This is a recent relief carving of some tulips.
Basswood, finished with an oil based stain.
It will have a satin polyurethane added.
Jim Babcock
Columbus, Indiana”
Very well done, Jim! Thanks for the photo!
Woodcarving Tip
Puffy Eyebrows
Eyebrows can often be a challenge to carve, especially on smaller carving because the wood tends to splinter and break away. One way around this problem is to just paint the eyebrows on, but next time instead of using your standard acrylic paint try using puff fabric paint.
You can apply the paint directly from the bottle through the nozzle that comes with it.
Puff fabric paints can be found on Amazon or at most any fabric or craft store.
Source: carvingjunkies.com
Pattern of the Month
Frog Cane Topper
Upcoming Workshop
Get Specific
Take the next step in your caricature carving and learn to capture actual likenesses.
Teacher: Ryan Olsen
Dates: August 2,3,9,10 2025
Saturday & Sunday both weekends 11:00 am-1:00 pm Pacific / 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Mountain /
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Central / 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern
8 hours
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
For details and to sign up contact Ryan ryanscaricatures@gmail.com
Wand Whimsy
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
Aug 5,19 – 6PM Eastern
Twiitling Tuesday – 4 hours ( 2 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
4″×2″×6.5″ basswood block needed for pattern
For details and to sign up click on Dwayn’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/
B.O.B
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
Sep 9,23 – 6PM Eastern
Twiitling Tuesday – 4 hours ( 2 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
3.5×3×6.5″ basswood block needed for pattern
For details and to sign up click on Dwayn’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/
Sports & Holiday Shorties
Teacher: Dale Green
Dates: October 4,5,11,12 2025
Saturday & Sunday both weekends 9:30 am-11:30 Pacific / 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Mountain /11:30 am- 1:30 pm Central / 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
8 hours ( 4 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
For details and to sign up Contact Dale: dalecarves@gmail.com
Online Classes With Chris Hammack
Teacher: Chris Hammack
Chris Hammack is offering a new series of online classes to help students learn and sharpen their woodcarving skills. Individual and Group Classes are available through his web site chrishammackart.com/groupclass
Twhitling Tuesdays
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
Dates: Two – 2 hour classes each month on Tuesdays
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
To sign up contact Dwayne Gosnell via email dagwood_76@gmail.com
Woodcarving Academy
Established in 2020, the Woodcarving Academy offers dozens of videos and seminars created by some of the country’s top level instructors. More videos are added regularly as they are created by the instructors.
With a paid subscription to the Woodcarving Academy you can view any videos you like for as many times as you like.
Subscription rates: Monthly = $19.95 Quarterly = $49.95 Annual = $139.95
There is even a Free level which allows you to tour the website and watch the sample videos and content, and receive email updates as new content becomes available.
Check out the Woodcarving Academy and learn with the masters right in the comfort of your own home! Go to: www.woodcarvingacademy.com or Email: support@woodcarvingacademy.com
News & Announcements
Tri-State Woodcarvers Club 2025 “Show and Sell”. October 25 and 26th 9am to 3pm daily. Vanderburgh County 4-H Center 201 E. Booneville New Harmony Rd, Evansville In. Exposition Hall in the activities Center Bldg. contact Danny Conley 270-314-5895.
AML Wood Carving Knives
AML Wood Carving Knives are handmade by Andy Loughlin in Monroe, New York.
Each blade is meticulously crafted from 1095 high-carbon steel, ensuring easy sharpening and long-lasting edge retention. The diverse exotic woods used for the handle styles are sourced from around the world, adding a touch of elegance to these knives. You can find these exceptional knives for auction on eBay under ‘AML Knives,’ with bidding usually starting at $22 and most knives selling for between $40 and $100.
Unpack your AML Wood Carving Knife and experience its razor-sharpness right out of the package. Each knife comes with a custom-made magnetic wooden sheath, a thoughtful addition at no extra cost.
I now own three AML Knives and can speak personally about their quality. These are not production knives. Each knife is handmade by Andy himself. The knives are sturdy, well made, and will stack up to any other knife on the market. These knives have quickly become quite popular and sell out fast, so check the site (“AML Carving Knives” on EBAY) often for availability.
Andy has recently begun making knives with handles made from exotic woods and colored epoxy, creating some stunning and unique handle designs. Below are examples of some knives currently available or which have recently sold:
The next issue of Wood Chip Chatter will be posted on October 3, 2025.
Keep a sharp eye out for it.
Keep a sharp edge, and keep on carvin’!
Funny Bone
Wood Chip Chatter 
Hey Bob K, you going to be at the Conewago show in October? Thanks, Jim Weiner
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Unfortunately not, Jim. If you go, have a great show.
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Hello Bob, First, let me say that I enjoy your newsletter, and all the info you share, very much. Until now Iâve been very hesitant to send any of my work because, frankly, Iâm not on a par with most of the carvers exhibiting. But I think I need some critiquing from those âin the knowâ to help me grow
So please have a look at this wood spirit, carved in chestnut, and let me know what I might do to improve him or his future cousins.
I appreciate any feedback you might provide.
Thanks very much, Richard in Oliphant, Ontario
Sent from my iPad
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Hi Richard, I’m sorry but your photo didn’t come through. Please resend it to rwkoz51@gmail.com Thanks. Bob K.
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