How to care for HHB

[bjrogg]

Last Saturday just before my grandsons birthday I had just enough time to check my trail camera and a quick recon. Don't know how I missed it before but found some really nice HHB. 2 of them have the roots washed out and are leaning almost horizontal so when I get a chance I want to harvest them. I was told when I harvested some this winter to split seal ends and leave bark on. Would procedure be the same now or a month from now. Buds are just starting to open on some trees here now not sure about the HHB it wasn't Saturday

[Pat B]

If you can wait for the leaves to come out the bark will slip, leaving a pristine back for your bow. Split the HHB, seal the ends and back and set it aside to dry. The bark may slip now but You'd have to do a test to be sure.

[bjrogg]

Thanks Pat does that mean cambium layer will come off too? I can sure wait Wal busy now.

[Pat B]

Yes, the bark and cambium will come off and you'll have a pristine back for your bow

[bjrogg]

Wow thanks Pat I'll be waiting then. For some reason I thought I saw that you should harvest in winter when growth rings are full and sap is low.

[osage outlaw]

I cut a HHB tree last week and the bark peeled right off.  It was soaking wet underneath.  I waited a few hours and then sprayed them with lacquer.  A few hours later I coated them with polyurethane.  I plan on coating them again.  HHB can check easily. 

[bjrogg]

Thanks guys so the back could be stained and varnished right away then right?

[PatM]

No, not as your final finish. The wood has to shrink. Rather than deal with checking problems I prefer to just wait a bit before peeling the bark. That saves the bother of having stuff dried to the back that likely has to still be removed before finishing the bow.

[bjrogg]

Using you method Pat M does the bark and cambium still slip off later? In a climate controlled area how long do you wait till you remove?

[osage outlaw]

I've left the bark on and had to scrape that off later like Pat recommends.  Having done it both ways I would rather sand off a thin coat of polyurethane than scrape and sand the bark and cambium layer.  That's just the way I like to do it. 

[bjrogg]

Thanks as they say more than one way to skin a cat. I'm thinking I'll try it your way it won't dry real fast where it'll be maybe that'll help with the checking

[PatM]

 It still peels right off, it just isn't sopping wet.  If you leave it until dry it will also pop off when you bend it, no scraping required.

[bjrogg]

Thanks Pat might have to try some both ways

[PatM]

I'm also obsessive about not even slightly violating outer growth rings so any sanding or scraping of a sealing finish is out.  I normally use a spoon to push off inner bark and cambium of wood cut in the non-growing season.

[bjrogg]

Thanks Pat I appreciate the advice my phones almost dead and I got a few more hours in this tractor yet tonight if I don't reply right away you guys will know why