For the love of trees
Spoon carving is a form of celebrating trees. Each tree of each species is one of a kind, even if they share similarities, behaviors, and other natural properties. A tree, just like us, will be the product of its environment, the ones that came before us, and the many influences we encounter through life. Similarly, the spoons carved out of a piece of a tree show its qualities, the place where it came from, and the movement of the hands that made them.
In order to carve the wood and understand its importance and qualities, we need to know a bit about trees. Naturally, that piece of wood will have a story to tell before becoming a spoon, a butter knife, or a spatula. However, this does not mean that those who carve green wood are ready to chop down trees at any given opportunity. On the contrary, the care and respect for trees is such that most of the wood used for carving comes from pruning, fallen branches, or woodland management.
Harald Lamon, a passionate green woodworker from Belgium, shares in his book ‘Green Wood Carving’: ‘It seems contradictory, loving trees and wood carving, but it has never been like that for me. … I have always worked respectfully with wood and feel a growing responsibility to carry that part of my work outward. I will never cut a tree, branch, or bush just for the sake of carving.’
During our Spoon Carving for Beginners course at Cerdeira, we will be with the trees that surround us and learn through them. They will be the starting point to a wonderful weekend where you will learn to carve green wood and produce lovely household items for everyday use. You will also find out about decoration, finishing options, and care for your brand-new handmade woodenware. Join us from February 21st and 22nd, 2026, and discover the playful art of carving spoons!
Written by instructor Ana Gomes, one of the teachers of the spooncarving workshop.
Join us in February 2026 and register here