how would you preserve the bottom slice of a christmas tree?

Question

we got our first christmas tree, a douglas fur. since it is our first, i wanted to make an ornament out of the bottom slice to commemorate the occasion.

would it be ok to just let it dry and then mark on it? how long would it take to dry? its maybe a half an inch think. would it be wise to put some kind of wood finish on it? i kind of like it the way it is without the finish, but i want it to last. i'm just afraid of it rotting, attracting bugs or falling apart.

Answer 1

What a great idea. Makes me wish I'd have thought of it!

I'd say to let it dry well. Put it on some newspaper and place it some place dry, well ventilated, out of direct sunlight. Don't put it too close to a heater, that will dry it too fast and could cause cracking.

The thing with pine is that it has a lot of sap in it. It may take a while to dry.

I would seal it with something, over the years it will have a tendency to either leach sap or dry out and crack. You don't have to change the color of it, just seal it. Go to a home improvement store, they will have samples of what all the sealers look like on finished wood.

Hope it turns out well for you. Wouldn't it be cool to make one for each of your children on their first Christmases....assuming you're going to have kids.

Answer 2

It probably will not rot if you store it in a dry place, at least not for many, many years. I would sand the cut spot and maybe treat it wit a wood oil after painting whatever you want on it.

By the way, good idea about saving it.

Answer 3

heathrjo pretty well sums it up, let it dry really slowly to avoid it cracking, leave it outside for three or four months in a dry place, then bring it inside for four months, but NOT near any heat source, When dry, coat with boiled linseed oil or similar to preserve it.