I have a 6" diameter hickory tree on my land that is nice and straight without any knots showing that I want to get a couple of staves out of. Would now be a good time to cut it?
I've been told best time is when the owner ain't looking. I think I remember seeing somewhere that the bark comes off easier if cut this time of year. I'd cut it and seal the ends to keep it from checking.
Once it is all leafed out is,a good time.
When you go to cut it bring something to seal the ends.
Paint, glue, shellac etc.
Coat the ends as,soon as you get the log,cut out.
I'd then split it as soon as possible. Then use a sledge,or 3 pound hammer to hit the edge of the bark from the end.
Once part of it is loosened the rest should lift right off.
Spray some bug juice on the staves before,storing.
x2 Macbow nailed it
The best time to cut most whitewoods is during the growing season so the bark will peel off easily and the wood under the bark will be the back of the bow. After cutting the tree, split the log in half and seal the ends with shellac or wood glue. I would let the bark stay on for a few weeks before removing it and I'd split the stave out(probably 3 or 4 staves in a 6" tree). When you do remove the bark, seal the back. You can reduce these staves to floor tiller stage and store them in your house in the a/c. In a few months they should be ready to work.
Pat, what is the reasoning for waiting a couple of weeks on bark removal?
Thanks guys. This will be my first build. My dad gave me a drawknife a while back. He didn't know I was thinking about building a bow. That's got to be a sign!
QuoteOriginally posted by macbow:
Pat, what is the reasoning for waiting a couple of weeks on bark removal?
Like pat said
There is going to be a lot of water at first, if you peel the bark off to soon the water will be oozing out
I like to let some of the moisture escape from the split side(s) and let the wood stabilize a bit before removing the bark to help keep from checking on the back. Hickory is pretty good about not checking badly but I take precautions with all bow woods.