Guide

Why do wooden garden carvings crack, and can you stop it?

Short answer

Wooden carvings crack because the log keeps drying out after it has been carved. You can't stop it completely, but keeping the carving in full shade on well-drained ground, away from sun and heat, cuts the risk a lot. Small splits are normal and are not a fault.

What causes the cracks

Every carving we make is cut from a single log. A log holds moisture, and as it dries the outside shrinks faster than the inside. That pulls the wood apart along the grain and opens a split. You see the same thing in fence posts, log piles and old beams.

Is a crack a fault?

No. A hairline crack is natural in solid wood and part of its character. We say this on every product page: some cracking may occur, and it should be viewed as a feature, not a fault. It does not mean the carving is failing or unsafe to keep outside.

How to reduce the risk

Keep it in full shade. Direct sunlight dries the wood too fast.
Use a well-drained spot. Don't leave it standing in puddles or a damp corner.
Keep it away from heat. That means patio heaters, fire pits, stoves and sun-baked walls.
Treat it with wood preservative in the years after you buy it. See our care guide.

What if a split spoils the look?

Our 12-month guarantee covers this. If a split spoils your enjoyment of your carving, contact us and we repair it with timber fillets and retreat it, free of charge, for the first 12 months. It applies when the carving has been kept outside in full shade, away from direct sun and heat. After 12 months we can still repair it for a small charge. The full terms are on our delivery and returns page.

Does the type of wood matter?

Yes, a little. We use locally sourced cedar because it is stable and naturally resists fungal attack. It is still a natural material that dries and moves. More in our guide to what wood we use and why.

Quick questions

Will my wooden carving definitely crack?

Not always, but some cracking is common as a log dries, so it is worth expecting. Siting the carving in full shade on well-drained ground gives it the best chance of staying smooth.

Can a cracked carving be repaired?

Yes. We repair splits with timber fillets and retreat the carving. It is free for the first 12 months under our guarantee, and a small charge after that.

Does varnish stop cracks?

No. Our carvings are treated and varnished to protect them outdoors, but no coating stops a log from drying out. Siting the carving in full shade is the main way to reduce splits.

Written by Andrew Clark Carvings, Longhope, Forest of Dean. Last updated 7 November 2026.