Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: episaacs on June 09, 2007, 11:51:48 am

Title: ERC tree
Post by: episaacs on June 09, 2007, 11:51:48 am

I went out this morning and cut an Eastern Red Cedar tree that I'd found a few months ago.  Only a couple of very tiny branches to the top of my head, nice and straight.  I might have some trading material soon!
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/episaacs/erc/DCP_0009.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/episaacs/erc/DCP_0008.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/episaacs/erc/DCP_0007.jpg)

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 09, 2007, 12:05:53 pm

Pretty nice looking haul there Ed.  Justin

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: sonny on June 09, 2007, 12:08:13 pm

simply a suggestion that you debark those staves or spray with insecticide, soon!
this time of year bugs will quickly get in the sapwood.

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: DanaM on June 09, 2007, 12:11:40 pm

That sure is pretty wood!

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Hillbilly on June 09, 2007, 12:37:10 pm

Looks like a good haul. Listen to persimmon, I have a couple nice pieces of cedar that look like Swiss cheese now.

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: episaacs on June 09, 2007, 12:43:00 pm

I've been outside reducing them to stave size, sealed the ends in spar urethane, bringing them inside to dry.  I store all my wood inside, and so far have never had an insect problem with my own staves.  Bought a hickory from Murray Gaskins a few yrs ago that was pretty well chewed up though.  Think there's any need to debark them if indoors today?

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Pat B on June 09, 2007, 02:44:43 pm

In many cases the insect eggs have been laid in the bark and will hatch out at a later time. If you start seeing fine saw dust around the staves it could be too late.   Pat

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 09, 2007, 03:32:36 pm

Like Pat said, spring has sprung and the eggs are probably laid.  You have spent hours cutting wood, splitting it, and now reducing it to staves.  I think the time invested to ensure you wont have bugs is worth the effort.  If the bugs are in there, they can invade the rest of your wood too. Justin

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 09, 2007, 04:04:52 pm

Very nice looking staves, cedar sure makes a pretty bow!
      Sean

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: episaacs on June 09, 2007, 04:17:43 pm

Thanks!  Bark's not so hard to remove this time of year anyway :)

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Pat B on June 09, 2007, 05:18:39 pm

Seal the backs well soon after removing the bark. Spray shellac is quick and easy and it it easy to remove later. 
   How long are your staves? They look relatively short.   Pat

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 09, 2007, 05:35:40 pm

Pat, the measuring stick says 68 1/2".  ;D  Justin

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Pat B on June 09, 2007, 05:41:47 pm

I was reading the bottom line! ??? ::)  ;D   Pat

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 09, 2007, 06:31:20 pm

My accountant said the bottom line is all that counts anyway.  ;) Justin

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: Pat B on June 09, 2007, 07:11:11 pm

...so it's 3 3/8" long. :o  they look longer than that! ???    Pat ;)

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: episaacs on June 09, 2007, 07:13:54 pm

I ended up with 13 staves out of it.... some of them really oddly crowned.  It was a very gnarly trunk.

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: mamba on June 09, 2007, 07:48:58 pm

Love the color in that wood.

Title: Re: ERC tree
Post by: nugget on June 09, 2007, 08:07:18 pm

Cedar makes a fast bow. My wife shoots a cedar bow backed with rawhide. I think it is faster than my hickory bow. Might be as fast as my locust. That thing zips an arrow out like lightning. I love working cedar.
Great looking wood good luck