A 'historically significant' tree in the museum yard had to be cut
down. It's a maple, roughly 27" diameter at the base, 122 years old. I'd
really like to have a cookie slice to exhibit with dated arrows pointing
to rings, etc. -- you know.
   Right now, it's just a big heap of 2 foot sections, rather roughly
cut apart with the PSI crew's chain saw.  Does anyone have advice or
--->practical experience re such things as how thick a slice to cut so it
doesn't crack but one can still carry it? How to dry it so it won't
crack? How to determine when it's dry enough to sand/finish? The quick
sample I made included carnauba-based wax (looked very good; is this PC?),
tung oil (too dark) and polyurethane (made it so you can't see the rings).
   ANY suggestions on this would be appreciated!
   Chris Bobbitt, Curator of Collections
   Monroe County Historical Museum, Bloomington, Ind.
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