Chasing Tools and Tree Stump

One thing I would suggest about this is that you ensure you get a
seasoned piece of tree trunk ... Timber straight from the tree is
likely to start sprouting new shoots, crack and split all over the
place .... 

Hello Ian,

Of course what you’ve said and suggested is good general advice …
but there are alternatives and they can be quite rewarding.

There was a fairly detailed thread on Orchid some time ago about the
preparation of a freshly cut stump … let me see if I can dig it up
… ah, yes. The thread is

and my long-winded how-to addition to it is

There are other threads on the subject for those who might be
interested:

Anyway, the bottom line is you can take a green stump and season it
yourself if you’ve got the time and desire to do it. Time = about a
year, give or take, but you can use it while the process is running
it’s course. And desire = big mess + funny smells en route to a
“tool” that will last a lifetime (and then some) and serve it’s owner
richly and faithfully. I love a good stump, as I’m sure you’ve
guessed by now.

Cheers,
Trevor F.
in The City of Light