Drying a Hickory Stave

[ChristopherO]

From our SW Ohio "Hurricane" last week I collected a Pignut Hickory trunk to work with.  With it split and the ends sealed, yesterday, I decided to remove the bark today as it was still very wet.  That made the chore much easier.  With this done I am wondering, "Is Hickory prone to drying cracks on the back without a sealer?"  
I always polyurethane my osage staves when debarked with good success.  What about Hickory?
Thanks, Christopher.

[Dano]

I've always heard whitewoods like hickory don't check as badly as osage, but I wouldn't hesitate to seal the back when I got the bark off, good insurance.

[Art B]

No need to seal the back of hickory Chris. I've used both spring and fall hickory and never experienced any checking on it's back. You can go ahead and rough your bow out now and save a lot of drying time. ART B

[ChristopherO]

Come to think of it, I have never sealed anything but the ends on the ruff cut hickory boards picked up wet at the local saw mill, either.  No problem exept for warpage on occassion.
I have much more hickory I picked up with the bark on it last fall in the barn.  Getting the bark off dry is mean work.  I understand why folks place it in a steamy bathroom to make it peal easier.  Debarking it wet is much more desireable.
Thanks for the replys, men.
I do plan on cutting it down a bit and letting it dry slowly in the hot box on low head before too long.  I think a recurve may be in the making.?.

[Pat B]

I seal any wood's back I remove the bark from, whether it be whitewood or heartwood, as well as the ends just for insurence. Its quick and easy to do with spray shellac and later the shellac can be remover with denatured alcohol or just cover it over with whatever finish you plan to use.
   Also, I would pay attention to anything the Art B says and treat it as gosple!     Pat

[Danny Roberts]

I've had plenty to check on the back. My secret is to leave a little of the inner bark on while dryin' down or urethane it if you do take it off. Good luck !

[Springbuck]

If you have split it and sealed the ends you should be ok.  A whole log will split if it is in a hot place in the wind, usually.  That said, Shellac or white glue on the back can't possibly hurt.

[Roy Steele]

You can seal the back but you really don't have to.Split into staves let dry out of the sun.