Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 12:33:09 pm

Title: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 12:33:09 pm: I'm going to the woods with the kids and Mom tonight for the weekend. I want to cut an Elm and a Hickory, but is it too early. I read in another post a week or two ago that it's best to wait til the leaves just begin to bud, but aren't we close enough down here in Texas? I could wait a couple months if it's better. Your wisdom is greatly appriceiated.
Gary
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 01:34:34 pm: Wait until the leaves are full bloom, at least another few weeks down there. The more bloomed the leaves the more sap is up and the more sap is up the easier the bark and cambium come off. Plus you give the newest growth ring some time to toughen up.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 01:53:15 pm: Thanx Pearl Drums. I'll wait for the growth ring to toughen up. As far as the debarking, last Hickory I cut, I left the bark on to dry 8-10 months. When I went to work it the bark fell right off.

Is Elm going to be like Hickory, in that the back is under the bark, or is it like Bodark and I'll be removing the sap wood?
Gary
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 02:06:11 pm: The back is under the bark AND cambium. If your hickory bark fell off it may have left the cambium behind. Thats the cool part about cuttin gin later in the spring. The bark and cambium usually comes off together in one easy piece to expose a perfect back.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 02:11:21 pm: Rightio, I'll wait a couple months then thanx.
Gary
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 02:18:28 pm: It will be worth it Gary. If you rough a bow out right away and stash it under your bed you could build a bow in 4-6 weeks with it.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 03:04:51 pm: Are you telling me I can rough it out green the 2 months later finish it?
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 03:11:47 pm: 10-4 big buddy. Whitewood's only.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 03:25:00 pm: What a help you are. Hickory I know is a whitewood. What's Elm?
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 03:48:00 pm: Its all whitewood if its not mulberry, osage or locust...........for the most part. Hickory needs to be a touch drier. Leave that roughed down for 8 weeks rather.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 03:51:07 pm: Thanx man, you've taught me more than you realize.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 03:53:32 pm: Paul Comstocks "Bent Stick" is a fabulous white wood read. Its $14 and worth it for a beginner.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: Bevan R. on February 17, 2012, 04:28:34 pm: Quote from: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 03:53:32 pm
Paul Comstocks "Bent Stick" is a fabulous white wood read. Its $14 and worth it for a beginner.

I feel this should be in every body's library.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: Pat B on February 17, 2012, 06:02:33 pm: Gary, cut a small tree and see if the bark will slip. If it does the bigger trees might also.
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: GaryR on February 17, 2012, 06:17:28 pm: Pat, that's a great idea. Would the maturity of the bark make a difference and possibly give me a false reading though?
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 17, 2012, 07:32:50 pm: Good question Gary. I cant answer that one. Hopefully Patty cakes hops in so we both know! Pat knows more about tree species and wood than anybody I know!
Title: Re: best time of year
Post by: Pat B on February 18, 2012, 01:27:16 am: Its the time the tree comes out of dormancy. I have a friend that grafts Japanese maples. When the bark slips is when you graft trees. It seems like he would start in February or March. You can just remove a small piece of bark to see if it has let loose yet.