> Thin 1/8' x 3/4" strips of any length will have to be handled
> carefully until they are on the forms.

You can say that again!

> Side note: the denser growth rings are formed in the spring when the days
> are shorter and the tree does not have all its leaves - it is cool what
> you can read from the growth rings re: weather patterns and stuff.

I knew that (spring/summerwood) but I can't for the life of me ever remember it correctly!! Lets see if I can remember right for next time I have to recall it from the ol' dusty memory bank. You're right about reading the historical weather patterns in the tree rings. You can see drought, wet seasons, and fires, too.

Shawn