Cherry bark backing?

[Kegan]

Big cherry fell, and the bark is the smooth style Ive seen used for backings. Anything special for removing/caring for the stuff?

[DanaM]

Never pull cherry bark off but I would cut all the way around the tree in two places, then cut with the length of the tree to connect the
first cuts, use a putty knife or such and gently work it loose. I would dry it flat, maybe lay a few boards on top to keep it flat.

[Kegan]

Excellent, thanks Dana !

[sailordad]

kegan not trying to walk on your thread here.
but would this work for birch bark also?

thanks                                                   peace,
                                                                    tim

[david w.]

Cut it cirular around the tree and not up and down.  At least thats what I've read.

[Pat B]

If it is black cherry(Prunus serotina), I don't know if it will make good backing. The cherry bark you have seen here is from choke cherry I believe and is a very strong bark. The N W Natives used it for bindings.
 So be sure which cherry you are dealing with. 

[DanaM]

Pat if its smooth bark it can't be Black Cherry unless its a baby tree.

Tim I take birch bark as I described, wait till the sap is up though, also you will be girdling the tree so
it will most likely die, if you can find a fresh downed tree go that route

[Kegan]

Almost all the cherry we ahve aorund here is AMerican, but this tree is cherry witha  compeltely different bark. I figured I'd give it a try, as I need a secion of the log for another project.

[Pat B]

Let us know how it works. Always looking for another backing. Can you find out the botanical name?

[Hillbilly]

Pin (fire) cherry and the introduced European Mazzard cherry both have good bark.

[Pat B]

Only place around here to get pin cherry that I know of is along the Blue Ridge PKWY and the Parks Service frowns on that for some reason.

[Hillbilly]

Pat, you don't get it in the daytime-duh!