Splitting hickory log

[Red Tailed Hawk]

I have a hickory log that is 70" long and about 12" round. The log was cut about 1 1/2 years ago and was left outside for firewood. I have no experience with creating bow staves from a log.
Is this log still usable?

How should I go about splitting?

There is no rot on the log

[Pat B]

NO! It's not good for bows. There is rot in the log.
It takes fungi very little time to get into a log on the ground. Hickory as with most whitewoods go quickly if left on the ground.
Fresh cut healthy wood that has been seasoned properly is what you want for bows.

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Thanks pat, I guess this one goes in the stove.

[hova]

you cant even get down to the middle and use it for accents?


-hov

[Pat B]

You can use it for lots of stuff, just not bows. I have some in my shop that is strong and hard but it won't take a bend. Only hickory backing to fail came from that board. It broke across the backing.

[KellyG]

pat how do we keep it form happening. I just traded for a stave and put it in my shed, so I can use it when I get back.

[Pat B]

Off the ground and good circulation. Staves are not as suceptable because they are small enough for the M/C to drop below what a fungi can survive with. A full log holds a lot of moisture for a long time. The fungi is only doing it's job.   The backing that failed was from a log that was in a garage for 2 years when I got it. It had layed on the ground for a week before it went into the garage.

[KellyG]

Ok It is off the ground and in my shed
Thanks