Cutting and drying osage orange

[outbackbowhunter]

I may have the oppurtunity to cut a 7 foot long dead straight 8 inch diameter branch off an osage orange tree this Friday.

What should I do to look after it after cutting, so it doesnt develope cracks during the drying process.

How long would a piece of osage like this take to dry properly.

Whats the best method to cut it, I have a chainsaw.

I personally am not into self bows, but a good mate is.

[Pat B]

Mark the top of the limb first. That will be the tension side and the best for a bow.
  Start the cut with an under cut at the branch collar where the limb comes out of the trunk. Go about 2" or 3" up with this cut then cut it through from the top side about 1" in front of the under cut. This will keep the weight of the limb from stripping bark and wood down the trunk.
  When it is on the ground find and cut the section you want for staves. Split the limb with the tension side as one side, seal the ends immediately. If you are going to remove the bark and sapwood seal the back immediately after. If not treat the bark with an insecticide to kill any grubs that will hatch before they begin to eat.
  Both the tension and compression sides will make bows but the tension side is best.
   You should probably wait a year or more before trying to build a bow with this wood.      Pat

[outbackbowhunter]

Thanks Pat,
         I'll see how I go

[Eric Krewson]

Limbs tend to be very knoty, I prefer trunks.