Elm Sapling

[2treks]

I just cut one from the side yard and would like to make a sapling bow, not sure how to proceed with the split and dry.
I am thinking to split it, ruff shape it and tie it to a caul for a few months.
What say ye sapling pros?  

[John Scifres]

I have made a few with elm saplings.  I shaped them right away and even floor tillered a bit.  Leave the tips and handle wide but get them about 1/2" thick on the sides.  Try and use a back with the least crown to it.  Make the belly as flat as you can.  I like about 2" wide and 68" NTN for a 50# at 28" draw selfbow.  The stave will dry in a couple weeks in moderate humidity and you can have it shooting in a month.  I once made an elm sapling bow in 13 days using a hatchet and sunshine  

[2treks]

Thanks John, That's what I figured. Did ya leave the bark on and fix it to a caul?
I plan to try for LONG and 30" of draw.

[John Scifres]

No bark, no caul.  Once you get them thin, they don't warp much while drying.  If you want to induce reflex, you can.  I've done that with hackberry a few times.  Just cut a radius in a 2x6 and use clamps and then packing tape so you can have your clamps back.

[Pat B]

Another option is to saw the pole in half lengthwise and bind the 2 haves back together with spacers between to aid air circulation. This is how I season osage poles for bows.

[2treks]

Aye, I remember that from a previous post Pat. that maybe the way I go. easier to set aside to dry. Thanks for posting.

I will scrape the bark as well John. I have seen some with bark and thought it was cool looking. Can't remember what wood was used though.

[Shaun]

Made a bark-on hickory from sapling, dried as a stick for a year and roughed out then dried another year. Bark stays on and looks great. No experience with elm, but plan to try one soon. Good luck with your stave Chuck.

[2treks]

Thanks Shaun,