"Ohioguy" wrote in message
...

My Great Grandfather scraped his initials in the bark of a beech tree on
his farm sometime around 100 years ago. My parents are finally putting
the farm up for sale, and I noticed today that the old beech tree had
finally died. I went out to look, and the bark was starting to decay a
bit, probably from all of the constant wet weather this spring. I had
thought about preserving it before, but didn't want to while the tree was
alive.

Anyhow, his carved initials are still intact. I have used a knife to
outline the area and carve away all the bark surrounding the initialed
area. I am worried that the bark with the initials on it may come apart
if I try to pry the whole area off of the tree. It is about 9 or 10"
wide, and has some cracks in it already.

Can anyone recommend something clear that I might be able to coat the
bark with to strengthen it, and make it more likely that it would survive
the removal procedure intact?

Wood preservation is a speciality among museum
conservationists, who would probably be willing to
advise you without charge. Since this tree now has
died, you need to protect it from micro-organisms
and fungus as well as weather. Fibreglass resin
(as used for boats) may supply your need.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)