Eastern White Cedar | A Natural State - Episode 9

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Decoy wood needs to be light and resistant toward water and waterborne, termite-like insects that bore into wood. Atlantic white cedar is an excellent variety of such wood, but the tree’s population is increasingly threatened by destruction of its wetland habitat. Tom cuts only what he needs, uses "blow-downs" (trees that have fallen due to natural causes) when available, and works to protect the wetland habitat that inspires his craft. In this video, Tom shows us a stand of Eastern White Cedar found along a creek near his childhood home in Lexington, South Carolina.

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Spotlight
Episode 1
The ability to work with wood was an asset on rural farms where lifestyles required self-sufficiency and living off the land was common. As a boy, Tom carved his toys - small boats that he floated...
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Episode 2
Tom uses keen eyes and a drawknife to carve the slope of a duck's back from the natural curve along a block of white cedar. The basic forms of a tail and the base of the neck are revealed during body...
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Making a Duck Decoy
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Making a Duck Decoy
Episode 4
To float properly, the body of the duck must be hollowed out with a hand drill and chisel. Buoyancy and stability are achieved by combining a hollow interior with lead weights applied to the underside...
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Making a Duck Decoy
Episode 5
After the body is hollowed, Tom attaches the carved head of the duck. Tom takes care to attach the head at an angle that appears natural and in keeping with the attitude of the body. After the head is...
Tom Boozer's Tool Box | A Natural State - Episode 7 Making a Duck Decoy 6

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Making a Duck Decoy
Episode 6
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Carving
Episode 8
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The Land
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The Hunt | A Natural State
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