When to Cut Hophornbeam

[hickry]

Hi.  I'm eyeing a couple of trees... one's a hophornbeam and the other an elm.  I thought about cutting sometime between now and Christmas... hopefully be ready for a spring project.  Shouldn't they have all the latewood for the year put on by now (assuming I'll be using outside ring as back)?  Also... does the bark on these trees "peel" like they would on some of the others?  If not, what's the best way to remove bark... drawknife?  Thanks, Alek.

[Pat B]

Alek, These two woods, being whitewood, should be cut during the growing season.IMO Only at that time will the bark slip and all you do is peel the bark off and whats under is the pristine back for the bow.  Any wood can be cut at any time of the year but during this time of the year the bark holds fast and it takes a lot of work to get it off and in many cases you will have to chase the next ring to get a good solid back ring unless you are very careful. On woods like osage, locust and mulberry, where you generally remove the bark and sapwood anyway, winter is a good time to cut because of less bug, snake and heat problems.
   I prefer to harvest whitewoods as early as possible in the spring(after the leaves have come out)so I have last years annual ring for a back. It has had all winter to mature. If cut in late summer the present years growth ring has been laid down but, in my opinion, has not had time to mature.  
   If you wait until spring to harvest these woods you can take a few staves down to floor tiller stage and they can be ready to work in a month or so. Pat

[Dean Marlow]

I cut it when I can get to it or have some help.You can cut it in the winter. Just takes a little more time to get the bark off of it. Dean

[hickry]

Thanks for the input.  I may cut the hophornbeam now and wait on the elm until spring... sounds like, either way, they could be ready to go for next October!  Thanks again... Alek.

[Pat B]

If you cut the wood now go ahead and remove the bark while it is green. Its a lot easier now than when it is dry. Seal the back after the bark comes off so it won't check.    Pat

[Springbuck]

Bark comes off easier in the spring and summer with many tree species, but I wouldn't let that stop you...

[Roy Steele]

I cut i'm in summer.The bark will peal off and and the staved have all winter to season.
  But any time you can get works.

[Roy Steele]

I cut i'm in summer.The bark will peal off and and the staved have all winter to season.
  But any time you can get works.