MAKE A MOUNTAIN BARK BASKET

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by DOUGLAS ELLIOTT

The traditional Appalachian basket—made from the bark of young tulip poplar trees and laced together with smooth strips of hickory—is about as useful and beautiful as any receptacle you're likely to find. Better yet, an experienced "mountain man" (like Paul Geouge ... who taught this craft to me) can "whip up" one of these rustic carryalls in less than half an hour (and that sort of skill can sure come in handy when a long hike leads you to one of those once-in-a-lifetime berry patches!).

What's more, the attractive containers aren't limited to transporting foraged goodies. I've made bark backpacks, wastebaskets, clothes hampers, and—in a slightly-flattened form—even a briefcase!

TREES AND TOOLS

Paul (who is a local authority on traditional handicrafts) tells me that the best time to strip bark from a tree is in the spring and early summer ... during the main sap flow that peaks, he says, under

the new moon in July. This skilled artisan uses the bark of tulip trees (Liriodendron t ulipifera) to form his baskets, and the inner bark of hickories (genus Carya) for lacing.

However, if such trees don't grow in your area, you can use basswood (Tilia americana) for both container and lacing. The bark of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) will also do ... though this material is not as durable as the other possible choices.

Of course, if you can't find any of the above trees in your locale, you can experiment with whatever species are handy. You'll probably find a variety that will work just about as well as the more traditional materials.

(Keep in mind, though, that—regardless of the type of tree you use—the bark that forms the basket itself will be at its flexible best right after it's removed from the trunk. So have all of your other materials ready before you start to "skin" that sapling.)

A good knife is about the only essential tool for this basket craftin', although an awl blade can come in handy when it's time to bore the holes that allow you to lace the container together. (Of course, an adjustable leather punch would make the pokin' job even easier!) A small ax or hatchet will also be helpful, both for felling trees and stripping bark.

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