What is waste wood?

I make a point of using mainly 'waste wood' - I mean wood that would otherwise be left to rot, chipped or burned. Almost all of it comes from within a few miles-I get offered a lot when trees are taken down, I get some when trees come down in storms, and occasionally I will buy some local timber that is already down, because it is rare or beautiful.

London plane and yew

This is how I receive branches - all I need to do is seal the ends with some glue or paint, leave them as long as possible and put them somewhere dry but outside. The ends will split, but the middles will be useable in about three years. They're great for Christmas decorations, little vases, handles, things like that.

Large pieces like this need to be cut lengthwise, or they will split badly. After cutting they look either like this:

These are good for boxes and spheres

Or like this:

This is a 'blank' for a bowl or platter

Once turned, this will be my biggest platter so far - a beautiful oak 'crotch' (£20 for scale)

Once cut up they go under cover but open to the air, and left for several years. It's always thrilling going back to find what I laid down so long ago and work out what I will make.