Osage limb

[del]

I have come across some osage that has been down about 5 years.  I cut 3 pieces to make some bows.  They cracked and split on the end.  Can I make a servicable bow out of these?  never made a bow out of a limb but these are about 3 inches in diameter.  thanks in advance for your help.  <>< del

[John Scifres]

Maybe but not likely.  Pics would help.

[walkabout]

5 years is a long time for wood to be down, i generally avoid wood that has been on the ground for even a year, although ive heard of people using fence posts for bow staves.