Life in a Pine Cone – Hedgehogs in the Making
Hedgehogs grow along the main branches of this particular species of pine. They often fall off after they are matured to a certain level and the seeds continue to grow inside the cone. They then dry on the warmth of sunshine and the leaves are released.
In this case the hedgehog hibernated and that’s when I came on the scene. I used a wire bruch to renive the green mossy surface from between the conical points.
I sliced off the bottom to make it flat. This can be done with a tenon saw without damaging the tenon saw. The cone is densely hard and solid.
I sanded the bottom flat, but, if you can find a way to hold it, you can also plane it flat.
I glued the hedgehog to a flat board with a dab of super glue. Thus should be enough to hold it while you carve the face.
I used the chisel, bevel down, to carve three scallops to form the face. One centred and one either side of the first top scallop.
I poked to holes for eyes with the awl.
I finished the surfaces with shellac. But you can leave it natural. Before I applied shellac, I superglued the face to seal it. This prevents the cone opening on the severed parts.
6 Comments
on A Future PastYour point is very valid. Didn't come across as a rebuke at all (and even if it were, nothing wrong with a gentle rebuke). As I was writing the stairs comment, I half figured it wo…
on A Future PastThank you Paul. I like the reintroduction of the use of pinch dogs in your article for joining wood together. I intend to give them a try. You always have something new and interes…
on A Future PastNot only do you teach us how to use the many hand tools in the world you also are teaching us ways to use this life we have been so freely given and that aging is not a reason to s…
on A Future PastNemo, I would have liked to build wooden stairs, spiral ones even, but I sometimes wonder how many hours people think I have in a given day. This is not in any way a rebuke. More t…
on A Future PastReally enjoy the stories as well. So I have been to Reagan Wells and you made me curious about why, in all of God's green earth, you would settle in Reagan Wells. I love the Texas…
on A Future PastThese 'real life' blog posts are some of the most helpful you write Paul. They enliven the mood, even on the darkest of days, and inspire me to enjoy each and every moment. Looking…
Those are great Paul, thanks for showing us how you make them.
Unfortunately we probably do not have that species pine in the US. In Texas it is mainly Southern Yellow Pine, as you know.
I’ve just found my next woodland activity for the boys. Many thanks…
Brilliant. Thank you. My son loved collected pine cones last Fall for a grade school project. He even drew them. I know he’s going to love these hedgehogs. Great intro to woodcraft for him.
Paul those are cool, but like tman I live in Central Florida not far from Disney and the choice tree here is a Palm Tree. These are pretty much good for nothing except make pretty Landscape.
Thanks for sharing, you have shown some neat projects.
Steve
Correction I know tman lives in Texas but I was referring to part of the US.
Steve
Yeah! I realise not everyone has access to these, but there are issues with shipping as It is illegal to ship cones to the US. Otherwise I could send you a bagful.