White Ash for bow or laminations?!

[jiane]

I have what I am pretty sure is a very large White Ash tree in my backyard.  It is probably 2 feet in diameter and is about 60-70 feet tall. It has large  very straight trunk that branches off to 3 main straight branches.

Is White Ash useable to make a selfbow or for laminations?  

I will probably be taking it down in the next year or so. It is located less than 8 feet from our home and is only causing me grief with the leaf clutter in the gutters and problems with my sewer line.  Besides if I don't take it down on my own, there is a good chance that the Emerald Ash Borer will kill it for me in the future.

If you happen to be a tree cutter and a self-bowyer, you welcome to help me take it down and help yourself to all the wood you can handle.

I just want to try and use the wood as much as possible instead of just sawing it up and "dumping" it.

Jerry

[Jim now in Kentucky]

White ash makes a great selfbow. My current one is 47# @28".  It  is a pyramid style  and the back is  narrower than the belly. About an inch of  string  follow.

Split out staves as soon as the tree is dropped and peal the bark  off.  Paint or otherwise seal the ends and put them  under cover to dry.They should have plenty of ventilation, because the sap will mildew if it stays moist.