I have my trees scoped out for cutting. Watched several on line videos and have a few questions.
Should I debark, split, and pai t the ends at the same time or split, paint ends and depart when dry?
I would think removing the bark would be much easier green.
Is now a decent time to do this or is fall not optimal for cutting hickory for staves?
Thanks
Pat will be on here, he knows :thumbsup:
Fall is too late for the bark to come off easily. It will be stuck tight. It can be removed with the drawknife, but it'll be infinitely easier and safer if you wait until next year's growing season. If cut during the growing season, the bark will pop off in one big piece, usually all you have to do is pry it loose at one end with a screwdriver and lift it off by hand. If I wanted it for selfbow staves, I would wait until next year. I like to cut it late in the growing season so the summer growth is full thickness. That will be the bow's back.
I cut the logs. Seal the ends with 2 coats of shellac. Then within the next day or two... split them into staves. Remove the bark. Seal the backs with 2 coats of shellac.
What Bowjunkie said. I read to cut hickory after the new leaves come out.
Thanks for the advice! Will mark the trees and go back in the spring.
I cut hickory in the fall once, never again, it took two weeks to get the bark and cambium off this pile of staves. In the spring it might have taken 1/2 hour at the most.
What Eric said. Once is enough! Almost like it's glued on if you try it now.