Yew wood

[4runr]

I had an interesting email a while back. I guy in a city near me offered me some wood from 2 very old Yew trees by his house.

I didn't see the trees before they were cut, but he said they were both 25 foot tall.

What I ended up getting from him are about 10 or 12 pieces, very straight, 4-10 inches diameter, and about 6-9 foot long.

I have never messed with Yew. I sealed the ends. What do I do next?

[Roy from Pa]

NEXT YOU SEND IT ALL TO ROY....

[4runr]

Sure would be happy to bring you some this winter if I could get invited to The Bow Shop. Course I'd hafta bring my own beer.lol

[Mike Mecredy]

yew poor guy

[Cavscout9753]

Haha I like the responses so far. When Saxton Pope talked about storing yew to dry all he really said was to keep it in a warm, dry place. Like an attic perhaps. Not really sure for how long but it could be months (?). Much much more experienced people will guide you no doubt, just wanted to remark on your good fortune!

[blacktailchaser]

well being in ohio i dont think its pacific yew..it might be a sud species...most guys split the tree..seal the ends and let dry for 1-3yrs..it depends on thickness of stave..1"thick stave you might be able to let season for one year and then be able to get started...do you have any pics of the trees...mainly a pics of the ends...thanks john

[4runr]

Will get some pics up tomorrow.

[Pat B]

I think I'd split or saw(if not twisted) in half lengthwise and seal the ends. To prevent these halves from twisting or taking on too much reflex I'd bind them back together with spacers between the halves to allow air flow. You can add controlled reflex later when you need it. 2 or 3 months in a controlled environment should dry them enough to start working them.

[fujimo]

one thing i have found with yew, is that it is super prone to checking until it is properly stabilised.
i have had logs that have been cut for years, stored outside in an unheated shop, and when i brought them in to work on, the backs checked so badly,in less than half an hour, as to be totally unusable!!
now days i leave them outside in the unheated/ draft free/ shaded  shop, then slowly bring them into progessively warmer and drier places.

splitting them will help a lot, and i like to seal the ends with wax- although i have found the end checking not as big a problem as the sapwood checking right down into the heartwood!!
good luck, sounds like some awesome pieces.

what sort of ring count did you get on them!!

[Buemaker]

Another thing is after having sawed or split them in half and if you are getting one bow from each half, then try to cut away the pith. It usually starts to crack into the heartwood wood if the pith is left on. Happens to most woods I think. Bue--.

[fujimo]

and i have found sawing into staves is the best- when i have tried to split, it has always run out- maybe too, that was because i was trying from one end- maybe one should start in the middle, by pounding in a hatchet.
 good point Bue,i will try removing the heart next time- funny i know that from milling logs- that if you box the heart in, it will split like crazy.
just never transferred that info to the stave  

[Roy from Pa]

I agree with Pat on binding the wood down. Yew just loves to bow, no pun intended..