Cedar dilema

[nugget]

Hey I could use a little help with some ERC.
 My question is ,do I have to chase a ring? How much heart wood do I have to have if any? Do I have to leave it wide and long?
In other words HELP!!!!!!

[Trapper]

I try too just strip the bark off of it down too that first hard layer and then I just use that for the back , but on big logs and there is alot of sapwood then I guess you would have too chase a ring, but I wouldnt worry too much , it can be done but its hard, and Ive always sinew backed all the ones Ive made. I like too have a heartwood belly but sometimes its hard too find the right peice too do that with. I like a pyramid shaped bow out of cedar, but some guys like the english longbow style. so I guess it works both ways. Mark made a nice ELB out of cedar here not long ago .     Trapper

[nugget]

Thanks a bunch. It looks like that first layer inder the bark has been damaged. I had planned on rawhide backing it for security.
The pyramid style is a good idea. This piece has alot of white wood on it. I would like to see an all heart wood belly with a thin layer of sap wood on the back.I was thinking 2"wide with 1/2" tips and around 60" to 62" long.

[M-P]

Hi, ERC is a juniper and as far as I know all juniper's can be treated as a 'White Wood'.  No ring chasing necessary, the sap wood is just as strong as the heart.  Of course the wood is weak in tension , but works great with a light backing.  I've made a couple of juniper bows that I decrowned and backed just so I would get more heart wood in the bow.  They didn't shoot better, but they sure looked nice.  If you're decrowning before backing, I think its safe to violate some rings, as the backing is going to be doing the tension part.
Ron

[nugget]

Sounds like a plan. I will keep ya posted and post pics when done.Thanks guys