Hop Hornbeam

[Steve Milbocker]

I was just out back cruising my woods and noticed I have a several hop hornbeam in the 3''- 4'' range. Bigger ones seem to be rare. Are the smaller ones adequate for bows? Do you have to chase growth rings?

[Pappy]

Yes they will work fine,just peal the bark and there is your back.You don't have to chase a ring.Be careful when you take the bark off,you don't want to damage the back.
   Pappy

[Steve Milbocker]

If they are too small to split should one just seal the ends?

[Marc St Louis]

The HHB I have seen that are too small to split have also been full of branches.  A 3" or 4" tree can be split into at least 4 staves.  Just be sure to check the tree for spiral growth before cutting it down

[Steve Milbocker]

A good percentage of these are very straight, no branches for 8' or so and no spiral to the bark.

[sailordad]

take it for waht its worth,but i have split alot of hhb/elm and other types of interlocking grain wood

i find its best to let them sit and dry in log form for atleast 3-6 monthd,depending on log diameter
then split in half and leave sit again for 3-6 months,then quarter it

i find doing it this way keeps them from twisiting during splitting,which is common with these types of wood regarless of what
the bark pattern is,good luck