Wood is an unpredictable medium and due to the natural aging process, there is no way to prevent cracking. Excessive sunlight and heat can rapidly dry out and damage a carving.

The best location for a carving is outdoors with air flow, such as a covered patio or porch, or in a shady spot in a garden. If you take your carving indoors, avoid placing it near a heat source. Use a brick or small stones to keep the carving off the ground to allow air flow underneath the base.