Pecan stave selection

[paoliguy]

I have a huge pecan tree laying across my back yard (not to mention the kids trampoline). I have decided to try and get some bow making materials out of it.

I have made a few board bows but never from a stave. I figure if a tree lands in your lap (or on your trampoline) you might as well give it a go.

Any suggestions as to how choose a good stave? Should it be a small diameter log or a larger piece to split multiple times?

For that matter is pecan a good choice of wood for a beginner? Keep in mind I have enough to make SEVERAL attempts!

[Echatham]

pretty sure pecan is a kind of hickory. in which case it's great bow wood. I would say that a log about 7-10" diameter would be a great place to start, easy(relatively) to split and not to high of a crown.  ideally you want straight grain with no knots... but it is a tree and is not likely to give you that.  try to avoid propellor twisted staves (where the grain spirals up the tree) hickory is very strong in tension and it takes alot to break it.  it can take alot of set if not thoroughly dry.  also take excessive set if limbs are too narrow. 2" wide from fades to midlimb probably a good start.  the back of your bow is just under the bark. right now while its green and full of sap, you should be able to peel the bark off mostly by hand. immediately seal the back and ends with shellac or wood glue or paint to avoid checking. then post pics.  

[talkingcabbage]

x 2 what Eric said.  Pecan is a type of hickory.  Just look up any hickory selfbow build along here and you'll get some good starting points.  Personally I'd go with a slightly larger diameter log, more like 12".  It'll be more to split, but you'll get more off the trampoline and less crown.

[LittleBen]

Pecan and hickory are sold together as hickory in most lumber yards, so probabyl alot of hickory bows out there are actually pecan.

Pecan is less dense and not as strong as the true hickories so you might wanna go slightly wider or longer, maybe not. But I woulnd't try and go alot shorter or more narrow ...

Should be lots of nice staves. Keep us posetd on your progress

[paoliguy]

Thank you for the advice / inspiration. The chainsaw and I are headed that way this evening. I post some pics and questions I suspect as I go.