My first actual stave haul... pics included

[TurtleCreek]

  Here's some pics of the first staves I have ever cut myself.  The ones leaning against the wall are all hackberry.  The 3 on the left turned a grayish splotchy type color when I sealed them with shellac even though the wood was good.  When I debarked the 2 on the right, I thought that the first 3 may have done that because the wood was very wet to the touch, so I wiped the second 2 down with a towel before sealing them and they turned out great.  The pic of the split log on the floor is american elm and was an absolute beast to split with just a mallet and a few wedges, the elm is 10-11 inches across.  I will split the elm down further into staves when I have a bit more time.

[osage outlaw]

Those look good.  I have had some hackberry turn colors.  One tree turned a dark green/brown camo.  That elm looks straight.  They are fun to split aren't they.

[TurtleCreek]

Yeah, that elm was a beast!!!!  I figured I would take a little break and let it dry out some before I split it any further.

[Hrothgar]

Good looking staves, have fun with the elm 

[Bevan R.]

Nice haul!
Know anyone with a walk in freezer? I found when splitting firewood like that, if it was frozen it split much easier.

[toomanyknots]

Those look good.  I have had some hackberry turn colors.  One tree turned a dark green/brown camo.  That elm looks straight.  They are fun to split aren't they.

Same here. They always look like big cucumbers. I don't seal hackberry's back, but I did once get some back checks on the surface. Only once though and in a real hot summer.

[Cameroo]

I actually enjoy splitting elm too.  It's a good stress reliever    Nice haul!

[Prarie Bowyer]

Elm is special in its structure isn't it!  My first green man was carved in elm.  I broke 3 chissels in it!  I bet Elm makes a killer bow.

[coaster500]

Looks like some primo stuff...  never tried elm but my shoulders and elbows love hackberry and it make a great bow