Field & Garden: Stihl the One

Apr 22, 2025 12:44PM ● By Mike Gennaro

Note from the Editor: My husband’s new hobby has our ancient Victorian on Virginia Street looking a bit like a Tennessee lodge. But who am I to deter the muse? Below, the method to his madness, and the tools of his trade. By the way - no, he’d never done chainsaw carving before, but he watches a lot of YouTube videos about it. Each carving took about two days! And, they were trees that either fell or had to come down, for safety’s sake. -Jen

It all began with a black mulberry tree in my backyard that fell, the day after two cardinals perched in it. In many cultures, cardinals are seen as a sign from deceased loved ones. That moment felt like a cosmic nudge, and I decided to try carving the fallen tree into something special. After some trial and error, I was hooked.

That mulberry tree became a huge alligator that my boys love to play on. My second carving was a 10' Bigfoot with a rock-and-roll sign and a barn owl perched on his shoulder. I also carved an 8' black bear from cherry oak—a challenging piece due to the tough wood, but it was worth it.

A common question I’ve fielded has been related to “how are you able to carve that?” Although woodworking is a family tradition, it’s more math than you’d imagine.

Essential Tools

My father-in-law lent me his 20” Stihl chainsaw and gave me a 14” Stihl that needed a new carburetor—fixing it up was a fun project. If you need chainsaw repairs, Tri-Parish Co-op is a great resource, and Will Norwood is my go-to guy. Ron Richard and his team at Rouses Ace Hardware are licensed Stihl dealers and can help with parts and advice.
For my carvings, I use a 20” and 14” Stihl, plus a 12” battery-powered Stihl with a dime tip for fine details. The battery lasts 30 minutes and requires bar oil. I also use a grinder with a carving wheel—powerful but dangerous—and a wired Makita die grinder with an “eye-cutting” cone and a 1/4 set of bits for details like eyes, teeth and claws.
Safety is essential. I wear chainsaw chaps, cut-resistant gloves, a hard hat with a face mask, ear and eye protection, and steel-toed boots. I carve on scaffolding instead of a ladder, which is a time saver and a safety measure.

How to Plan Your Design

Visualize, Considering grain and carving limitations
Draw from four visual perspectives on graph paper. Scale Suggestion: Every Box = 5”
Spray Paint Your Cuts as You Go

Making the First Cut

Before cutting, map out your design. While I like to wing it, a scaled image is essential.

First, remove all bark—it will eventually fall off as the wood expands and contracts.

Spray paint the outline in one color on both sides. Then, mark the left side blue and the right red—like politics, so you remember. This step is strategic, like a chess match. Use a 20”+ bar for large cuts, then switch to a 16” or smaller bar.

To keep carvings intact, start with deck stain, follow with spray paint, and seal with spar urethane. For wood rot, use two-part epoxy (pricey but effective). If termites appear, call a pro.

Always carve with the vertical grain to prevent cracking as the wood shifts with the seasons. Working against the grain can weaken your piece.