Both were live, healthy trees cut last spring,given 2 weeks to stabilize,bows layed out,and put on reflex forms for a month.After another month,I attempted to begin tillering,but fought moisture problems all summer.How about some kind of fungus growth in the wood?(Nothing was apparent on the exterior surfaces of the staves).They were both about 64", and 1 1/2" at the fades ,out to mid limb.The tiller on each was right on the money,and they set very little. One thing I noticed about the elm in particular,it split very easy.Every other elm I have cut has been a job to get split.I just don't see how they could have been too dry,with our humidity,and the heat treating was done when each stave was taken to brace height during tillering.The cherry broke almost identical to the elm. God Bless