Ring chasing...

[vtmtnman]

First time boywer here giving it a go...

When chasing should I go to the early wood only or remove it?I'm using white ash.

[formerbutcher]

I never have had to chase a ring on White Ash, i cut when the sap is up and the bark peels right of. I then use the first ring as my back. If i was going to chase a ring, i would remove the early wood. Is this a stave you cut ?

[vtmtnman]

Yes I cut it.I would have used the back but it was damaged from previous logging,so I went down to the widest ring.I think I did more work than I needed to.Probably could've got by with any of them.This is a practice one anyways...I just noticed a bad check in the center of the stave.

[okie64]

I would for sure remove the early wood. Ash is strong wood but it usually has a high percentage of early wood.

[Pat B]

You can leave the early wood on for now if it isn't too thick. It shouldn't effect anything and will protect the back ring until the building is done. Then remove it.  Or you can remove it now!