How to choose a palm tree trunk to use to make a statue of Tiki
The statues of Tiki are cool, very cool! They have not only always been an integral part of the “southern seas” or the Polynesian culture, but, apparently, have become inexplicably tied to a tropical, laid-back, relaxing island beach as a whole. We all heard about (and probably were) in Tiki Bars in some exotic holiday destination. Restaurants that play sports in Tiki statues have a certain appeal and mysticism that seem to appeal to many. Although they have traditionally been considered protected from evil, for most of us they are simply associated with an exotic, carefree lifestyle.
For those who truly appreciate the beauty and tropical appeal of the Tiki statue, the question may arise: “How can I get my own?” Indeed, they make wonderful features or accents in any landscape for those who are trying to create a “tropical” look. Of course, they are available from a wide variety of sources in an even wider variety of shapes and sizes for those who want to spend money. In my opinion, however, a more attractive option would be to make my own! With a little time and patience, I believe that anyone can do it. Obviously, for successful completion it is necessary to perform various tasks. In this article we will look at the choice of raw materials from which to make your tics.
Tiki are made from a variety of things. Some of them are made from palm tree trunks. Others are made from a variety of other forests. Still others are made of stone (or concrete). I think that traditionally (at least in Hawaii) Tiki statues were carved from palm tree trunks belonging to a certain area (they used what was around). However, Moai sculptures on Easter Island are large monolithic (large or massive stone) structures. Everything can work well, depending on the availability and the direction in which one taste flows. I think palm trunks have a pleasant “feeling” to them, since they were originally part of a palm tree, which by definition grew in a tropical or subtropical region (or close to it), possibly creating additional exotic as a result of tics. For the purposes of this article, I will focus on the palm tree trunks (Cabbage Palms).
If you live in an area where palm trees grow, acquiring them should be fairly simple. In my area (in central Florida), housing or construction projects almost always involve cleaning the land of shrubs and palms. The tree most often is cabbage palm (Sabal Palmetto), which grows wild here, and in the north - North Carolina (this is a very heartfelt palm). The construction site will be a simple, easy and cheap way to purchase a trunk for cutting. Another way might be to get from a friend or neighbor who wants to remove his palm from his yard or landscape for aesthetic reasons or because he died (just remember that he was removed by a specialist because cabbage palms are somewhat complicated. ” cut down "and - because they retain so much water - very, very heavy).
Always remember when choosing a palm to test its reliability. Many palm trees can have places of structural wear, even when they are alive and standing. This can take the form of deep scars or erosion of the trunk, with the result that part of the bark and fiber beneath it simply disappears. It is easy to see by visual inspection. This destruction (or decay) can even occur under the bark or outer surface, causing the chest to appear hard and sound when it is not. An easy way to check is just a “knock” in the trunk. When the trunk sounds, you will hear a solid resonant hit. When this is not the case, you will hear a hollow sound and you can even find a torso in it.
Once bound, the trunk of a palm tree can probably be moved with a moving carriage or with a friend to help with elevation. Many people simply cut them on the ground and then move them to the area in which they would like to place them. I prefer to use a few longer pieces of the barrel and actually dig a fairly deep hole where I want to place them and put them in the ground to stabilize and hold them securely. I think it helps to make them easier to cut and makes it easy to evaluate how the finished product will look like in this place. Obviously, you could not do this if you wanted to place your tiki on the patio, deck, or sidewalk.
By choosing your raw material, you take a big step and allow you to be on your way to creating your own tiki. Although it requires little skill, cutting your tics is really not that difficult. With patience and perseverance, I believe you can achieve a result that you will be proud of.
