Can green Ash be used for a selfbow? I know most Ash bows are made with white Ash but all I have around home hear is green Ash...also if I cut and split a stave out of it can I start bulid a bow out of it right away or will the stave need to dry?
I've never used green ash but I think that it and black ash are the least likely candidates for selfbows.
Dry wood carefully tillered is the rule. You can rough out the bow blank and speed dry it in an attic or near a hot air register - could be made into a bow after a couple months, but drier is better.
I built two selfbows from green ash. The first one didnt make it but i think it was my fault(too short). The second one stayed together but took about 2 inches of set. It shoots ok.