[Woodcarver] Arizona Cottonwood Bark

[85006]

Here is a question that I am not sure if anyone here can answer.  I live in 
Phoenix and we have a town in Arizona named Cottonwood.  I am wondering if I 
can get local Cottonwood bark and if it would be of a quality that I could 
carve.  I have never carve bark before so if it is carvable but not for an 
inexperienced barker, let me know.  My local wood source is very good but 
they do not sell any woods harvested within our state and the local building 
supply stores only sell out of state woods.  It is amazing as we have major 
lumber concerns in the northern part of our state.  Contrary to what some 
people think, over half of Arizona could be consider "high country" with 
forests abounding and even our deserts are above 1000 sea level.  We can 
grow some nice trees and as a result, I am sure I should be able to find 
some in state domestic woods that would be wonderful to carve.  The question 
is where to find it, who sells it, and is anyone else using it for carving.

I am doing a major shop redecoration/renovation/cleanup.  It is amazing 
where woodchips can lodge...

Arnie Webster

Burrs - Raymond, Aaron, and my favorite, Typhoon.