With the right tools, hollowing out a tree trunk is easy - but not child's play, because such a project requires great physical strength and is a strenuous undertaking. If you just want to work on a small piece of a tree trunk or a tree stump, you can do this on your own. For a large specimen, it is recommended to work with several people.
How do you hollow out a tree trunk?
To hollow out a tree trunk, use manual tools such as hammers and chisels, chisels, or power tools such as wood lathes and chainsaws. For large trunks, it is helpful to cut the trunk into pieces, hollow it out individually and put it back together later.
Tools needed
There are different methods for hollowing out a tree trunk. Which one is best depends on what exactly you plan to do with the wood: Do you want to drive a tunnel through the entire trunk so that only the outer shell remains? Or maybe you just want to hollow out a tree stump so that it can be filled with substrate and planted? Different techniques are recommended for both projects. For this reason, several tools can be used for execution.
Manual tools for hollowing out a tree trunk
To remove the wood with a manual tool, you need muscle strength. Sharpen all knives before use: the sharper the edge, the less force you have to use and the cleaner the result will be. Possible operational devices are:
- Hammer and chisel
- Chisel and hammer / wooden mallet
- Quar ax (adze)
- Draw knife
- Wood Rasp
- Wood drill
- Planer
Electric tools for hollowing out a tree trunk
The very strenuous work can be simplified if you use electric tools instead of manual ones, for example
- a lathe or lathe
- a trough hollow (is placed on a chainsaw)
- a chainsaw (for “carving” with a chainsaw)
- a mini carver
These machines are also suitable for very different projects: With a trough hollower you can, for example, make a trough out of a tree trunk - as you can tell from the name of the tool.
Hollow out tree trunk
Hollowing out the entire length of a tree trunk is a difficult undertaking, not only because of the physical effort. Ultimately, it's about removing the inside without damaging the outside. It works best if you first divide the trunk into two halves and then hollow out each one separately. After completing the work, glue or screw the two parts back together. If possible, get help for this task, as you will not be able to handle the cutting and balancing of the trunk on your own, depending on its size and weight.
Hollow out a tree stump
It is much easier, however, to convert a tree stump into a rustic planting bowl. To do this, hollow out the trunk just enough (for example with a chisel and a hammer) so that you can then fill it with potting soil and plant pretty flowers.
Tip
Instead of hollowing out the trunk, you can simply work on the outside - and, for example, carve an Indian-looking totem pole with the help of a chainsaw.
