yew hunt

[wizardgoat]

visiting some friends this weekend, i couldnt resist going up into the hills to get some yews.
i've had great luck in the area before, so i explored a little deeper, and in 4-5 hours i found 50-60
yews of various sizes. I was alone, so i didnt want to get to far off the road, or cut any trees i couldnt
handle by myself. mostly smaller trees and branches, but it was awesome to see them doing so well
up there, next time i'll be returning with a bigger saw and a buddy. heres a few pics
a branch i took from a big one

sapling
decent ring count

pretty girl

i found an area with over 20 yews, many in rough shape, most had multiples leaders like this one

feelin good! a buddy helped me put the few flawless ones through his bandsaw. i was taking no chances splitting them.

oh ya, 9 ocean spray staves on the left there too

[Crogacht]

Got some nice looking bits there. I love some good Yew.

[Del the cat]

Thats some pretty wood there
I don't see any that clean over here probably all gone by 1500 and I don't mean 3pm 
Del

[mikekeswick]

Some nice wood there. I bet if you came over here it would be hard for you to recongize our yews! They are completely different looking trees in the way they grow.
On the splits that have the center in them, I would strongly recommend getting your drawknife on the go and remove any wood above the pith. They will check to the center.

[Aaron H]

That's a sweet stash you got there

[Dan K]

Ahhhh...gotta love the North West!  Great haul. Cheers!

[wizardgoat]

Ya 9 trees out of 10 were no good, but most of these I found within 50 feet of each other.
Luckily up here it doesn't  get super hot or dry, I've had really good luck with drying checks.
They for sure check from the pith out, but it leaves me enough wood on the other side, usually.

Anyone have any suggestions for the 1-2" branches? Dip em and cross my fingers?

[ravenbeak]

Hey Ryan,

some nice wood there,  We should go out some time see what we can find,  I know a few spots.

It was good to see you,
all the best

jamie

[Del the cat]

Ya 9 trees out of 10 were no good, but most of these I found within 50 feet of each other.
Luckily up here it doesn't  get super hot or dry, I've had really good luck with drying checks.
They for sure check from the pith out, but it leaves me enough wood on the other side, usually.

Anyone have any suggestions for the 1-2" branches? Dip em and cross my fingers?

Those little branches make surprisingly fast stickbows, just cut away the belly, put a string on and your done.
Del (easy to do, is easy to say )

[IdahoMatt]

Great haul there.  Love the pic of you with your bounty.  .  Can't wait to see what you come up with. 

[wizardgoat]

Cheers guys, my yew stash is quite large now. I can't stop wood hoarding.
Jamie- anytime! Ill be back up in August sometime, ill drop you a line!