Yep Flem, the tree was dead when I cut it. It was down to 7 percent. The riser is a piece of a Black Walnut log I got from a friend last summer with some canary wood. The log has some beautiful crotch wood in it but it has a crack rite in the middle of the nicest part, still thinking on how to save it. Wasn't sure of the combo at first but I think it'll be nice after some finish. Only bad thing is I missed poundage by 10 pounds.