So I just cut down a sweet gum sapling for my newest attempt at self bow making. Rather looking forward to the challenge actually. Will have to make this section a must read any chance I can get on the computer for the next few months as my bow seasons.

my immediate question though is in seasoning the wood. Should I leave the bark on, or take it off? I have a fair bit of experience when it comes to this, but results are sporadic. Some wood types practically explode if debarked and left to dry while others not so much. In every instance though I have found that the wood splits to some degree or another if the bark is removed while the wood is still wet.
In one tutorial I read, the author said to split the sapling down the middle, lengthwise, leaving the bark on the to-be belly of the bow on and let dry for 2 months. In another tutorial, build along here on tradgang, I read that the bark should be taken off immediately, the sapling shaped to more or less the final product, then left to dry in a warm, well ventilated area. And in yet another video I watched, the bowyer completely debarked on formed his bow  without any dry time at all.

To be honest I seem to have wandered from my first question, but I have two on the subject
First: Should the bark be left on the bow during the sapling's drying process to avoid splitting?

Second: What is a sufficient seasoning time period for wood? Two weeks? Two months? Six months? More?

I'd imagine that in both cases that the answers would vary based on the wood used. That is why i mention that I am using the wood I am: sweet gum. At least, that is what it has been known to me as since i was a knee high to a grasshopper.
from experience I have found this wood to be fibrous, and flexible, yet strong. This is why I decided to use it for my (second) attempt at making a selfbow. (my first attempt was with a bit of eastern red cedar, it broke in my hands during tillering). Also, I know that perhaps it is not the best wood to use, but it is a good and plentiful wood in my area that has shown great promise in staffs before now.

Has any one had experience with this type of wood in the past with their self bows? What is the best length of time when it comes to its drying process, and should I leave the bark on?

Take the bark off! I'd say 6 months to a year under ideal conditions!

What then keeps the wood from splitting if I take all the bark off? Or is that where coating the whole sapling in shellac, as Vanillabear? suggests, comes in? And won't the shellac prolong the drying time of the wood?

Thanks for the responses guys. The knowledge and expertise here always helps in every post i read.

And as a forgotten question: is there any up/down side to simply waiting those six months to a year before I tart any work on the bow at all?

i.e. Is it better to work with the sapling once it has dried or before it has dried? I don't care much about how long it takes or how convenient it is (wet wood cuts easier than dry wood, and it is what i mean by convenience, just on what is best. but then again aren't we all?  

Okay. Thanks Vanilla.

Just another real quick question, but is there anything I can substitute for shellac, or is simply best that I go with it instead?

venger, could you post a pic or pm me one of the sapling you cut? I have the opportunity to cut one but I don't know exactly what size is too small or what?

Vanilla is right.  Get that bark off & to keep it from checking Shellac is a good way to go.  It will slow down the drying time but that's better than having cracks running all through the back.

is there any sort of time frame when it comes to getting the bark off? Do I have to do it literally immediately, like the second I chop the tree down, or do I have a grace period of two or three days? The earliest I will be able to get to the bow and start work on it is tomorrow. I would have today, but stuff came up preventing me.

right. Thanks. will do. In one tutorial I read, the author said to use wood glue to seal the ends to avoid splitting. it worked okay for my eastern red cedar sapling. Just wanted to know if it really mattered what one used as a sealer.