When is the best time of the year for cutting hickory?

[bucknut]

A buddy of mine cut a hickory a few weeks ago and gave me a stave.   Holy Hell what a bastard to strip down!  I read in TBB that winter isn't good for harvesting, but was wondering when is optimal?

[Pat B]

Like most bow wood you can cut hickory anytime. If cut during the growing season, after the leaves come out, the bark will peel off easily exposing a pristine back for a bow. When cut in the winter, dormant season, the bark sticks hard and is more work getting the bark off. Also, with the undulating, sinewy back of hickory the cambium usually remains in the valleys along the back. This isn't a problem and can make good camo on a white bow back.

[bucknut]

Thanks fellas.   I have several Pignut on my property that will make great staves, and was sort of iffy on cutting one after that last experience. .

John

[Pat B]

Once the leaves come out the bark will peel off easily taking the cambium with it. I prefer to cut all whitewoods in the spring or early summer. This gives me last years ring that has time to mature over the winter. Late summer cutting gives you this years fresh(immature) ring for your back.

[Bowjunkie]

Ok Pat I have to ask, what changes take place in that growth ring over the course of the trees dormancy that change it from 'immature' to 'mature' and how do they relate to/improve its use as a bow wood's back? Is it's resistance to tension forces improved?

So, if a tree was cut at the end of the growing season, with the ring full thickness, and the bark slipped off, the summer ring below it, 2nd one down, that has had a dormant season to 'mature', is better for use as the bow's back?

[Buemaker]

There is not growing any Hickory over here, but when I cut other ring porous trees like Ash and Elm, I like to do it in the spring when the sap goes and before it starts to grow early spring growth. The bark strips off easily and you have a full growth ring from last summer.
If you are a little late and the tree has grown a little spring growth this is so soft that you can wipe it off with a rag when you remove the bark. Or just let it dry and lightly sand it off.

[Pat B]

Jeff, these are just my thoughts without any scientific evidence. It seems obvious to me that a growth ring that was laid down last year might be a little better, stronger or whatever than a newly laid down ring from this year. Whether it is scientifically accurate or not, I don't know. If I do use wood that was cut in August I'll still use the under-bark wood for the back. A naturally developed growth ring is a more pristine ring for backing than one I've removed wood to uncover.