I’ve just built a four-piece bench (seat, back, and two ends) out of 3-inch-thick slabs of a black cherry tree. The wood is still green (I cut the tree down a month ago) and still has the bark on the edges. I plan to leave the bench outside in the weather. Is there any finish or non-staining chemical I can put on the piece to retard decay and keep the bark on?
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Replies
Finishing a piece of green wood is not the way to go. It would be far better to let it dry out so your efforts aren't futile.
The bark is going to come off as it dries, that's only natural.
If you don't want to go through the trouble of a varnish, one of the exterior sealants such as Olympic etc. might be the way to go. But I would still let the wood dry out before doing any type of coating.
Peter
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