Product Review

Green wood from a newly felled tree is easy to cut, bend, and shape. That is why working with green wood remains a time-honored rural craft for producing rustic-style furniture and other outdoor fixtures. Though there are many carpentry books on the market, few among them focus on this increasingly popular subject. Alan and Gill Bridgewater's brand new title is precisely what green wood carpenters have been looking for. Following a comprehensive introductory section on tools, techniques, and types of wood, the authors present 15 easy-to-follow projects that will result in attractive and useful objects made of green wood. They include a trellis, a garden bench, a rustic slab wood gate, and a backyard pergola, to cite just a few. Directions for all projects are heavily illustrated, and range from "easy" to "ambitious." Many can be completed within a single weekend. Large full-color photos of all finished pieces show do-it-yourselfers what their projects will look like when completed. There are 110 full-color photos in total, plus 60 instructive illustrations.