Hickory ? Drying

[Poplar Hill]

Cut this down from property.  I believe it may be hickory.  It's about three inches or so at base.  Pretty straight.  I've painted the ends and marked the north facing side.  Do I need to debark to dry or is it better to leave it like it is.  Right now it's simply air drying.  
 

[Pat B]

As long as it grew straight and not twisted you can cut it in half, lengthwise and bind the two halves back together with spacers between to allow good air circulation. I have heard that you can remove the bark from green hickory without it checking but I've never tried it. I'd wait at least a month then remove the bark. You can seal the back(and ends) with shellac. It is easy to remove after without damaging the wood by wiping it off with alcohol.

[Bowjunkie]

I've removed the bark from green summer cut hickory without sealing the back and 9 times out of 10 there's no checking. It largely depends on what you do with it afterwards. You could shellac it like Pat said to make sure it was safe.

Are you sure it's hickory? It doesn't look like the young hickories I've seen around here. The bark looks too rough. But it's hard to tell in pictures sometimes.

[Poplar Hill]

Not sure of the wood.  Here's a pic, shot a minute ago with a flash.  Not sure it will help.

 

[Pat B]

The bark looks like flowering dogwood(Cornus florida). It makes a good bow.

[Poplar Hill]

Cool.  I can't wait to try working with it.  Thanks Pat.  I bought a 65 Chevy c10 from a fella in Brevard.  Nice town.

[Black Mockingbird]

Yup...that's dogwood alright. The sooner you rough it out to a bow blank and get the bark off the sooner it will dry n be ready for u to work. Make sure to get its mc down to 6-8%...and heat treat the belly before serious bending past 18-20".

[Poplar Hill]

Thanks mockingbird.  Need to get something to measure moisture.

[Bison Bows]

Is it going to be a self bow or a sinew backed bow?

[Poplar Hill]

Bison I've never attempted a sinew backed bow.  I've only done a red oak board bow that came out good.  So I guess I haven't decided.