Books
Make A Chair From A Tree: An Introduction To Working Green Wood
by John Alexander
$25
This is the bible of green woodworking.
Published in 1978 by Tauton Press, it was one of the first pieces of literature on the subject. This book guides readers through the process of green woodworking, from how to fell a tree to how to finish a chair.
Drawings and photographs demonstrate the instructions.
Although the book is out of print it can still be purchased from sellers through Amazon, or the DVD version of the text is available for $25 from the author's website. See also a video of Alexander discussing some chair-building techniques.
Green Woodworking Pattern Book: Over 300 Traditional Craft Designs
by Ray Tabor
$27
This book has more than 300 patterns for traditional craft designs and also includes historical information and details about the tools and materials that should be used to complete each project. The variety of projects is vast, ranging from a walking stick to a bench.
This book is user-friendly and accessible to all skill levels.
Courses/retreats
The Cherry Wood Project
The Cherry Wood Project is a 40 acre woodland site near Shaftesbury, Dorset in the U.K. where visitors can receive instruction in green woodworking. The courses offered range from basic green woodworking to specific topics, such as bow and arrow carving.
The classes can run as long as a week and can be offered as special family-accommodating programs. The Cherry Wood Project stresses a sense of community and organic living—everyone cooks communal meals, bathes in a wood-burning shower and camps on-site. But for those who would rather rest their weary heads on a pillow under a less-rustic roof, there is a bed and breakfast nearby.
Course fees are $119 to $716 depending on class instruction and duration.
Websites
Peter Follansbee
Peter Follansbee has been reproducing seventeenth century furniture for 20 years so he knows just a little bit about tradition. But he has brought his work into the 21st century with his website that provides links to articles of interest to fellow old-school enthusiasts. Double-click on the online publications link at the top of his homepage to find the essential traditionalist bibliography.
Country Workshops Forum
Country Workshops Woodworking School was started in 1978. The school is located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Most courses are five to six days and offer instruction in traditional woodworking. If you can't make it down south, be sure to check out the green woodworking glossary on the website and participate on their forum.
Or start your own
Join us on our forum to discuss traditional woodworking or start your own conversation on the topic of green woodworking by adding a thread.
If you know more about green woodworking, use the forum to share your knowledge with our readers.
Read more in Workshop Essentials and Resources
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