My Father and I took down an Elm Tree at the 'Family Compound' sometime back (1979/early 80-ish)... While breaking down the Tree, and collecting the brush, Dad indicated a particular branch with his Saw... With the Chainsaw's tip, he pointed out where to cut, yelling, "...WOULD MAKE A GOOD CANE..." The piece was trimmed to oversize, de-barked, and set aside to season for 1-2 years in our Cellar... After the 'Handle' was trimmed to size, Sanding began... I know all about everyone's aversion to Sanding, but to me, on something like this...? It is an almost therapeutic exercise... The Elm would sand down to a pretty uniform butter color... and then several months later would start growing what looked almost like "New" bark...? And moisture (or tree sap?) could be felt in the wood after sanding? This went on for 15-20 Years as I recall, every year or two, I'd sand it and then some more "bark" would grow before it stabilized (more or less, it has brown areas still)... The accumulated hand-sanding softened the contour of this old stick admirably! No Finish has ever been applied to this Cane... It has been used (too) many times! Sore Ankles, Knees, Legs, and Hips... Now it helps me again, as I grow infirm It is somewhat more comfortable right-handed than left, but works either way, is still heavy for it's size and quite strong... It is an Oldie... :) (As a complete aside, when the picture was taken next to the chalkboard, I noticed the little "cookies" that were cut and used to plug the holes in the floor... Those, were from a small branch I put aside that same day, and from the same tree, all those years ago... ) Thanks for your time... 🙂 7 September 2026
Mike, in Concord, NH - A candle loses none of its flame by lighting another candle...
That’s a great piece, full of character and memories.
Like the others said, keeping the write up would be good. It’s be cool to drill a hole in the tip of the cane, or in the handle, and store a small rolled-up piece of paper with the story inside it (if it would not ruin the cane’s integrity).
Thank You Everyone for your kind comments! Wish my Dad and I had put aside a little lumber from that Elm! It's Great Wood, but has been ravaged by Dutch Elm Disease around these parts, it is very rare now... The Cane is growth-side down, like fenceposts, which creates the very comfortable and ergonomic handle... It would not be inaccurate, to refer to the handle as a a knucklehead... Lol
Mike, in Concord, NH - A candle loses none of its flame by lighting another candle...
Wonderful memories, and as slick a cane as I've seen. I love that it's kinda bent and gnarly as anyone using a cane should be a little bit that way themselves. Well done.
