How do you look after a wooden garden carving?
Keep it outside in full shade on a well-drained spot, wipe it with a dry or slightly damp cloth when it needs cleaning, and treat it with wood preservative in the years after you buy it. That is all most carvings need.
When it arrives
Choose its position before you unpack it if you can. Full shade, away from sun and heat, on ground that drains. Our siting guide covers the best and worst spots.
Cleaning
Wipe it with a dry or slightly damp cloth. That is enough to take off dust, cobwebs and garden debris.
Treating it in later years
Each carving is treated before it leaves us, and in the following years it should be treated with wood preservative to give it a long life. Do this from time to time, and check the product page for the finish your carving came with.
What finish does it come with?
Most of our carvings are finished with Barrettine Wood Protective treatment and two coats of Ronseal exterior varnish. A few have a painted finish, such as exterior black paint under the varnish. The exact finish is listed on each product page.
What to avoid
- Direct sun and heat sources, which dry the wood too fast
- Standing it in water or a damp corner
If it splits
A small crack is normal in solid wood. If one spoils your enjoyment of the carving, our 12-month guarantee covers a free repair. Read why carvings crack and the guarantee terms.
Quick questions
Can I leave a wooden carving outside all year?
How often should I treat it with preservative?
What finish does my carving have?
Written by Andrew Clark Carvings, Longhope, Forest of Dean. Last updated 7 November 2026.