I had a Redhead snap off on me when I was getting some Silver Maple recently. I don't know how it happened, I just saw the broken-off stub in a cut. Might have rolled the log over on it when it was in the cut.
Those woodies look awesome. I don't know if I could bear to paint 'em. Probably get lost fast if you don't, though. Do they pop out and fly around sometimes? I may have to try to make some. Got no band saw, though. Hmmm, Dogwood wedges...but you said that stuff gets smooth...
I had a redhead snap at me today too. But then, she does that often.