Stick Bark Whistle

This is a project my father taught me when I was a little kids. I have been making them ever since. Its a fairly easy little project. This only really works in the spring and summer. Though if it gets to dry it may not work. The main thing is that the sap needs to be running in the trees.

You will need
- a sharp knife
- a green deciduous stick
I normally use alder, birch or maple.

To start you will need to cut the stick clean and have a good 1" or more clear of knots. Its important not to scuff up the bark.

Now lightly tap the bark with the blunt end of your knife handle. This helps separate the bark (cambium) from the wood. Again be careful not to brake the bark.

Now cut the bark right around the diameter of the stick just above the closest knot.

Next cut down on the stick about 1/3 of the way down. Then cut up toward that cut making a small notch.

Grasp the bark and twist, it should slide freely off the stick. Be careful not to brake the bark, you will need it to finish this project.

Cut straight down from the notch cut earlier. Now carve out a chamber keeping the first cut straight. The deeper the wind chamber the louder the pitch.

Starting from the flat cut, cut the top of the stick to the end making the top flat. As seen in the photos above.

Slide the bark back over the the wood. Be sure the the notch is lined up with the top.

That's it, its done. Enjoy your whistle. Different whistles will make different sounds due to dimensions within them.
Some types of wood shrink and warp after they dry out, so not all whistles will work over time, but some do. Best to enjoy these right after you make them.