Bird Bath

[Peter Jacobson]

The other day my neighbor asked if I ever made a bird bath from wood. The bird bath part seems straightforward enough, just dish out a part of an interesting slab leaving enough wood around the perimeter to secure some rope or chain so it could be hung from a branch. The challenge, though, is finishing the wood so it could withstand the weather and having a small pool of water sitting in it all the time. Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

 

[Russell Nugent]

No experience personally but I've seen seen turned sinks. I think they usually use some sort of epoxy coating.

 

[Jamie Straw]

Given that the bird bath would be in contact with water, but not soil, I wonder if it could be made of a naturally rot resistant wood such as black locust, white oak or ?? (think pioneers' fence posts). In the Pacific Northwest, black locust can grow quite large -- I helped cut up trees that were close to 24" in diameter and yet were taken down prematurely. Also, I think birds would find it more natural to have texture in the surface, not something slick such as epoxy.

 

[Peter Jacobson]

Given that the bird bath would be in contact with water, but not soil, I wonder if it could be made of a naturally rot resistant wood such as black locust, white oak or ?? (think pioneers' fence posts). In the Pacific Northwest, black locust can grow quite large -- I helped cut up trees that were close to 24" in diameter and yet were taken down prematurely. Also, I think birds would find it more natural to have texture in the surface, not something slick such as epoxy.

Good thoughts, I will look for some black locust or white oak. I think they are common in this area (SE PA).

 

[Steve Gray]

Given that the bird bath would be in contact with water, but not soil, I wonder if it could be made of a naturally rot resistant wood such as black locust, white oak or ?? (think pioneers' fence posts). In the Pacific Northwest, black locust can grow quite large -- I helped cut up trees that were close to 24" in diameter and yet were taken down prematurely. Also, I think birds would find it more natural to have texture in the surface, not something slick such as epoxy.

I, too, was thinking white oak which will hold water (think bourbon barrels in KY rickhouses for 10-12 years -5F to 110F) and is often used for outdoor chairs. I question how long it will last in the elements holding water with freeze and thaw cycles- alas, nothing is forever and perhaps it will outlast the life of a bird. I suspect a little TLC, oiling and waxing or maybe charring could go a long way to aid in longevity. As far as the rot resistant "fence post woods" such as black locust or osage orange-- will they hold water like white oak? Granted ideal bird bath maintenance actually suggests refreshing the bath water every few days- so a subtle trickle might actually be more hygienic. Hopefully Peter can make several bard baths and get back to us! Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Jim Reynolds]

I suggest you also consider the impact of UV light on longevity.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

There was a thread on a Japanese waterproof finish: Hassui Ceramic. A bit costly and takes several coats.

hassuiceramicusa.com

 

[Russell Nugent]

I suppose another option would be shou sugi ban. Burning it. Not sure how that would hold up, or go along with the intended look.

 

[hockenbery]

could withstand the weather

How long do you want it to last?

Untreated white oak in poor conditions will last 10-15 years.

Birdbath Might get 20 years from it.

Freezing - expanding ice might split it.


My turned cypress bird houses last about 25+ years unless a squirrel decides to enlarge the hole to squirrel size.

 

[John K Jordan]

I've had wood from osage orange outside for 20 years, no detectable degrade (just change in color). The end grain looks much like black locust.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Given that the bird bath would be in contact with water, but not soil, I wonder if it could be made of a naturally rot resistant wood such as black locust, white oak or ?? (think pioneers' fence posts). In the Pacific Northwest, black locust can grow quite large -- I helped cut up trees that were close to 24" in diameter and yet were taken down prematurely. Also, I think birds would find it more natural to have texture in the surface, not something slick such as epoxy.

Osage orange as well.

 

[John K Jordan]

Osage orange as well.

The old rancher's quip was one osage fence post would outlast 3 fence post holes.

I've used most of my bodark stock but saved one huge crotch cut flat on the top like a table - I keep it just out side my shop door for beating on and chainsawing things. It laid half buried in the dirt and weeds for about 20 years and when I found it again it looked the same.

The tree was close to a house and cut down when it died. Someone else got the main trunk (maybe 5' in diameter?) and I think I carried off a couple of log-sized vertical branches and the crotch between them. Fantastic wood for farm use (and for turning!)

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Agree. I haven't cut down any Osage orange (I have just one live one), but the stuff I've found on the ground is pristine.