bugs, bark, and words part 3

a
follow up from previous blogs 

list here 

focus on 

how to work ash (do this as part 3)  

locate and id ash trees 

what belknap says 

pics overall shape ash tree

it helps me identify if I think of a pattern 

braided like a woven basket? 

pic of the straw basket I have 

also think of 

expanded sheet metal lath used for plaster work. 

lets look at splints seen baskets in the exhibit, from the collection of the Conway Historical Society

x

x

to make baskets ash logs are pounded 

x
pound steadily along the log to loosen the growth rings, which will separate into nice even layers called splints. These layers can be split again to get the thickness desired for a particular size and type of basket. The basket maker then needs to get the strips the correct width for the basket.

pounding other trees such as pine, birch, maple does not yield the same result. 

see other blogs for details on those trees. 
x

x

x

the nature of this tree 

the splints separate 

... and can be peeled off

(note make a sample section of log that looks like the above) 

x

shaped into splints 

simple tools 

x 

insert pics chs tools 

... and woven into baskets.

 

FMI from the NH Folklife program re: ash baskets follow this link here. 

another way to use the tree nature of ash, is in the traditional New Hampshire way of making dog sleds

when steamed, ash bends well.... 

THC on Aug 17 at

fmi on this and other traditional arts events this summer

see link here. 

x

x

FMI from the NH Folklife program about dog sled making see this link here. 

and ash for chairs 

add pics chair kit, esp the cpl windsor chair... pics 

z