Wood stabilizers

[Bvas]

What do you guys think would be the best way to preserve this?  I found it several years ago while shed hunting, and got permission from the landowner to cut it down. This year I finally remembered to take a saw with me and carried it the half mile outa the woods.

It's pretty punky and obviously has a little fungi. Would love to preserve it as is, without giving it a glossy/fake look.

I'm hopin to use it someday for a pedestal mount. Not worried about it being structurally sound, as I can hide a steel rod in it. Just wanting to preserve the aesthetics.

What are some options?

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[Flem]

A boric acid solution would do the trick. I'm guessing you want to stop the dry rot. Immersion would be best, but you could spray it repeatedly.
It's probably the least toxic topical option, that won't alter the current look of it too much.

[Bvas]

Thanks Flem. I've used Borax to kill ants and weeds in my patio before. Never knew it could be used for treating wood. Some of your replies here have impressed/amazed/intrigued me. What exactly do/did you do for a living?

Any ideas on a bonding agent afterwards to keep from constantly getting loose debris?  I looked at minwax wood hardener. But after seeing it is at least 50% acetone, I can't see it having much viable product after evaporation.

[Flem]

Brad, I've been a blue collar worker all my life. But I do have an insatiable desire to learn how to do just about everything than can be learned. I spent the last 20yrs working with and finishing wood. I also started collecting antique books on finishing and the chemistry of formulation. Needless to say I don't get invited to many parties

So if you plan on stabilizing the piece, skip the boric acid and use sodium silicate on it. It will serve both purposes. I made some not too long ago for a refractory cement additive, its easy to make. You need 100% lye and  silica gel beads. I cooked mine in a thrift store crock pot. I had some left over and put it on some wood samples for fun. It did not change the look much, which would be good for your piece.
I remember reading about adding sodium bicarb to the mix to help with waterproofing. You would have to research that.

[Mad Max]

be careful working with lye

[Bvas]

Thanks Flem.

The water glass looks like a good solution. The piece is a little larger than needed, so I've got a little excess I can trim off and play with.