good time to cut staves

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I have some Oak trees, Ash, Sassafras & Yellow Birch when is the best time to cut them for staves... Can I start to lay out the bow, maybe even get it floor tillered add reflex as it seasons/dries

[John Scifres]

You can cut them now but if you wait a month or so, the bark will be easier to peel.  I like to get a green stave roughed out and thinned to where I can bend it about 10".  I also leave the stave full width for the full lenght so I can adjust layout after it dries. The key is getting it thin.  For the whitewoods, you might want to stick with 5/8" all the way across the stave.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
 For the whitewoods, you might want to stick with 5/8" all the way across the stave.

5/8" wide????

[Linc]

That would be 5/8" thick.The handle area would be best left at 1 1/2" thick depending on how thick you like your grip.

[Hojo]

Is it best to remove twist or apply recurve into the stave while roughing it out green, or is it better to wait until later?  

Thanks, Howard

[John Scifres]

You can steam green wood.  Or tie it to a form to dry.