[Woodcarver] Cottonwood Bark

[khcarver]

Hello list members,  This is a technical question for those of you who 
harvest cottonwood bark.  A very large  cottonwood tree in our 
neighborhood was cut down for development.  It has wonderful bark 
attached to it - but the tree was very alive when they cut it just this 
week.  I can pry the bark off - but it still has about a 1/2" layer of 
very wet wood ( where the sap runs) attached to it.  Is it worth 
harvesting?  Can that layer be removed?  I tried carving it off with a 
wide blade and it peels but takes quite a bit of effort.  Just hate to 
see all that beautiful bark go to waste.  Anybody have any easy 
answers???
Thanks,
Karen Henderson, St. Francis, MN