Pecan Log?

[Anaconda 12]

I have been doing some reading that pecan trees and the wood they bear make a good strong snappy hunting selfbow, So today I cut some nice logs off a tree that was blowed over from the wind, the whole root system just blowed over and laid the tree over I was able to get some nice logs that can be split and reduced to numerous staves.  Here is the question, should I treat it like any other white wood and just peel the bark and use that for the back of the bow or does it have to be reduced and a a single growth ring followed out?  And since the tree is green, when I split it into staves should I then remove the bark and shellac the ends and back to prevent checking?  I have not worked pecan before so any info would be helpful!  thanks in advance.

[Pat B]

Pecan(Carya illinoensis) is the same genus(Carya) as hickory. As a hickory it is probably the weakest but it is still a hickory and will make good bows.   Peel the bark and seal the back and ends. You can use watered down white glue(carpenters) to seal the wood or shellac. Treat it like any other whitewood and use what's under the bark for the back.

[Anaconda 12]

Thanks Pat is there any certain length that seems to behave any better than others, what I mean is do they tend to make better short bows or longer ones and if they are weak should I sinew back it or something else like say rawhide?

[Pat B]

Start out with a longer bow(68" to 72") 1 5/8" to 1 3/4" wide at the fades and out to mid limb then taper to 1/2" tips(for now). If that works well for your first bow, make the next one a bit shorter...and so on.
  It is still a hickory so if you peel the bark and the back is good, that's the best back you can have on that stave. No need for rawhide or sinew.

[JackCrafty]

Yep, treat it like any other white wood and you'll be fine.  I haven't tried pecan yet but it's related to hickory (as already mentioned)....and I really like the way hickory performs in the dry weather I've got out here in West Texas.

I think it's important to make sure the belly is completely flat.  Also, the pecan I've dried (in the past) tended to warp and check....so I would shape the staves as close to the final dimensions as possible before drying.

[cracker]

Personally I had no problem with warping and cracking. The biggest dislike about pecan  is that it is susceptible to parasites just under the bark which causes it to have brown streaks in the woo sometimes severe enough to cause strength issues. You may have to look carefully at you're wood to pick out piece that is solid  enough to make a bow. Depending on where you live this may not be a problem.Ron