oak stave questions

[rhansen]

I'm a new guy who has been lurking on the site trying to educate myself.  I've made 11 board bows and had a blast.  Yesterday I cut up one of the big oak trees that I dropped in my yard, and I've got it all split up and varnished (64" long staves).  I've never chased any of the rings on oak and I was wondering if there are any special issues that I need to watch out for (with oak).  I have some osage that I have chased the rings on and that went along pretty good.  I decided to hold off on finishing the osage since I only have a couple of osage staves and now I have a ton of oak to work with.  Here's a picture of some of the oak (the staves are still quite wide for now).
Thanks, Rick

[osage outlaw]

Was that tree dead when you cut it?

[rhansen]

Yes, I should have mentioned that it died last year, just waited to cut it down.

[Pat B]

Don't use it! It is not suitable for bows anymore because fungus has invaded it and made the wood unusable. It will make great firewood however. 

[rhansen]

Ok, that's good to know (I did not know that). You saved me a ton of time, that would have been wasted.  I'll go back to the osage staves that I've been working on.
Thanks,
Rick

[Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive]

yup no good if standing dead.  however for future reference, you dont need to chase rings on oak, hickory, elm, hornbeam etc.  just peel the bark, cambium and go. 

[rhansen]

That's good to know, I really appreciate the information from you guys on this site!!
Thanks again, Rick

[Pat B]

You can peel the bark off of any trees if cut during the growing season. Woods like osage, locust and mulberry you don't necessarily want to do this unless you plan to remove the sapwood and seal the back. You do want to peel the bark on whitewoods(oaks included) and use the ring under the bark as your back. Be sure to seal any wood that you peel the bark from to prevent drying checks.

[rhansen]

I goofed with the oak.  I thought time was on my side as long as the oak was standing.  I've just given away all the oak to my nephew who burns wood (he's happy).  I live in Minnesota and the oak wilt seems to be running rampant up here. I'll pay more attention with these trees and get to them right away, so that I don't lose any more good wood to the fire.  I do appreciate all of the good advice on this site.  I've already ordered TBB volumes one through four.
Thank you again for the great information!
Rick

[Pat B]

I would only use wood that is healthy. Once the signs of the blight show up it is probably too late.

[Joec123able]

That wood looks rotted to hell that's the thing about white woods they don't last long in the elements

[rhansen]

Thanks Pat.

Joe, it's not rotted your just seeing the logs wet from rain and debarking.

[osage outlaw]

Freshly peeled white woods should look clean and white.  Check out Blackhawks post about ash and oak.  Thats what it should look like. 

[rhansen]

Thank you, I'll check it out.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

The heartwood... I thought oak had tannins that prevented it from rotting?