Finding the wood for The Raven and the First Men was difficult. Initial plans to use a section of red cedar log proved to be impractical for a number of reasons. A block, approximately 2.1 meters in diameter, and free of rot or other defects, could not be found.
In 1976, Rayonier Canada Limited donated one hundred and six fine-grained yellow cedar beams to create a workable carving block. The beams were air dried for eight to twelve months and, with the assistance of Forintek Canada Limited, kiln dried for a further two months. Wood technologists at Koppers International Canada Limited laminated the beams into a four and a half ton block, eight feet by eight feet by seven feet.
