Any value in > 500 year old 18" diameter D Fir roots for carving

[ArtB]

How best to prepare/preserve once dug up ?

 

[rarefish383]

Just curious, if that one root is 18", how big was the whole stump?

 

[ArtB]

'bout 11 ft dbh

 

[SeMoTony]

How best to prepare/preserve once dug up ?

My best guess is just like regular wood. Seal the openings, cuts at ends and branches. Except once dried it should be boiled 1 hour for the smallest dimension.
That idea comes from a company which makes bowls from burls and other erratic grained pieces. They claim no explosions on their lathes after the boil takes out the tensions that naturally occur.

 

[ArtB]

Good suggestions, can fit in a 55 gal bbl to boil maybe. wrap with rockwool or fiberglas insulation, throw in a couple of water heater elemnet.