Thanks guys for the comments.
Matt, mulberry is a fine bow wood. Its very elastic and carries a little lower density but performs well if left a little wider. It also lends itself quite well to this design. The fades are 3-inches which really helps to see through the bow with the added width.
Tell your buddy that mulberry is not a very well behaved bow wood when comes to drying. Smaller sections will twist as it dries, larger sections will check like no tomorrow (to the bone). This wood will also will check subsurface on the back, you'll think things are fine but as you chase down and there will be surprises if not properly cared for early on. I'd recommend removing the bark and sealing over the sapwood or if you don't plan using the sapwood, remove it altogether and seal with shellac. Its a pain but you'll be glad that you did. Most woods with sapwood will check down the heartwood, mulberry doesn't descriminate at all. There is actually little to no difference in the two with this wood.
Sorry to ramble on if you are aware; just passing on some experience that may help if you didn't. I've harvested sapplings and larger trees and had issues both times drying this wood. I'm getting another lesson right now with Persimmon.
Here a picture that I took sometime ago with a badly checked mulberry stave. Notice the drying cracks subsurface, not visible on the top. I have seen these go completely to the bone.
