offroadaudio

My township recently "cleaned up" our road, and in the process destroyed several cedar trees on my property that line the road.
They basically defoliated the trees completely on one side - it looks like a tornado went down the road. What I would like to do is cut the trees down, use a machete to trim the branches, then use a draw knife to peel the bark and smooth the trunks. Then I'd like to use the trunks to make a hand rail for steps in an old farm house - the typical twisty old farm house steps. I'm looking for ides on how to bend the trunks to follow the contour of the plaster walls. The trunks range in size from 2" diameter to 8" - I'm thinking a 3" average would work well. If they can't be bent, how would you cut them and re-attach at an angle?
Thanks for any help.

'FRank

Jim Tank

Mortise & tenon... get a book on post & frame barn building. M&T joints can be made at any angle then sanded in an arc... could look very Daniel Booneish if that's what you're looking for.. Lots of precise rough woodworking.