cutting yewwood

[sealevel]

Can anyone give me some pointers on cutting yew. I have tried cutting some that is over 5 years since i cut it and it still twists real bad.

[Tom Phillips]

Sealevel,
 Contact Ted at Raptor Archery he knows the ins & outs of harvesting Yew.I was out in oregon with him for a few days last Oct and we harvested some.
[email protected]

Tell him Tom Phillips refered you.

[Tom Phillips]

Sealevel,
 Raptor Archery is a Trad-Gang sponsor as well.

[BryanB]

Sealevel-
Yew, like most woods tends to show twist in the bark.  If you look carefully, you can usually see the twisting in the tree.  Sometimes yew grows tall and straight, sometimes it is more bush or shrub like.  Some guys will cut yew for a billet or two, I simply can't do it unless I'm getting at least one, usually two staves.  Here is a picture of some that came out really nice form the more bushy style yew trees.
Bryan
 
Here are some salvaged logs.  You can see some twist in most of them.  I was only able to get 1/4 staves and the rest billets or firewood.
 

[snag]

Hi Bryan. Do all those knots cause problems when tillering the bow?  Nice bunch of wood!