Over the years I have cut something like 30 Yew trees, that is the Yew growing here in Norway (Taxus Baccata). The one you have in USA is (Taxus Brevifola). From what I have heard it is not much different. If the tree have a diameter of 6" or larger I have usually made the first split with wedges and sledge hammer, to see if there is any twist in the wood. Start from an end with a Axe. It is a bit wastefull of course, but Yew usually splits easy without runout. Further cuts I have made on the band saw, I have always left the bark on. If you get 4 staves from a 6" diameter Yew tree you are indeed lucky, it is usually some "crap" hidden inside, Even if the tree looks clean. I have dried a couple of 3" diameter trees in the round for 5 years, just to see what happens. When I split them on the band saw and was almost through one of them came apart with a bang and bent and twisted. Looks like if there is tension in the wood(any wood I think) it will not vanish if dried in large pieces. Better to cut it in smaller pieces and some will stay straight and some will bend or twist, Yew can be a tricky wood. I have also found that if dried in too thick pieces (any wood) can get tension cracks inside that are not visible from the outside before you split it open after perhaps years of drying, yack. I have many experiences with Yew wood, but this is some of them. Well, this is my two bits, for what it is worth. It is of course different opinions, but if you follow my advice I don't think you will do any wrong, at least. Bue--.
Topic: Need your helpful yew harvest hints (Read 883 times)
