Cutting trees for laminated bow wood

[jrstegner]

In the near future I plan on cutting some trees off my property to have a take down recurve made. One is an osage, it has some nice staves in it I will set back, but I also want a piece for my riser. I will probably cut a cherry too. I am also planning on cutting a red cedar for limb veneers. I know what to do with the staves. My questions are should I go ahead and cut the riser woods into blocks and seal the ends: and should I cut the cedar into boards and also seal the ends?

[Pat B]

If it were me, I'd saw it into 2" thick boards, stack and sticker it and give it at least a year(more better) to season. Do seal the ends and store it in a dry location and out of the wind.

[jrstegner]

Thanks for the advice Pat. I really appreciate it.

[Pat B]

The wood needs to not only be dry but stable also and that takes time.

[mikkekeswick]

A 2 inch riser sized block will take at least two years to reach e.m.c., when you are going to start laminating different woods together you really need them to be about 8% m.c. maximum. Selfbow wood will be fine at around 10% and you could start working them sooner then force dry but riser wood no you really do need to give it time. If you don't you run the chance of delamination down the line.
I have to keep my riser wood in a humidity controlled environment as e.m.c. here in humid England is 13%. i have a small room with a dehumidifier and heater.

[jrstegner]

Thanks guys, I will certainly follow your advice.

[JamesV]

one year drying/curing time per inch of thickness is a good rule of thumb

James

[Pat B]

...so a 2" board should season in one year...but 2(or more) years is a lot better for stable wood.
If you are planning other bows in the future try to find other available species and get them started seasoning. You can always trade or sell off the excess.