how to properly age yew?

[blackpanem]

i have 5 yew limbs ranging from 5 feet and 3 inches around to 6 feet and 5 inches around. do i split them and seal the ends? just peel of the bark or what?

[Weylin]

I would split them, seal the ends but leave the bark on. The bark will help prevent checks in the sapwood. I won't tell you how I know that...

depending on the nature of the particular logs you have it might be better to rip them with a bandsaw instead of splitting them but I'm not an expert in that (or anything for that matter) so other might have more informed opinions regarding how best to split them.

[vinemaplebows]

The 5 inch round I would saw (not split) leave the others as is seal the ends, and wait, do not remove the bark on either.

[coaster500]

split them, leave the bark on and seal the ends....  Then find a good lounge chair put your feet up and watch em dry 

[blackpanem]

ok thanks guys

[Del the cat]

Like the guys have said... After 9 months I take off the bark and start roughing 'em out a bit at a time , by the time they have had a year you'll have 'em roughed out to staves and ready to go.
Some people may say leave it longer (maybe that's true for big logs), but it works for me.
Del

[blackpanem]

ok thanks del