Can I leave bark on dogwood?

[Springbuck]

  I am messing with a red osier dogwood stave I happened across.  Don't know what I can get out of it, but the size impressed me.  It was almost 78" long, no branches, but only 1.25" on the skinny end and 1.5" on the fat end.  I restrained it to dry and it's ready.  I plan on trying a crowned, skinny bow as long as will maintain some draw weight once I scrape below the pith channel.

But the bark is still on and it looks cool. Anybody know if i can lightly scrape or sand dogwood bark and leave it on, like you can plum and serviceberry?

[wizardgoat]

if its anything like pacific dogwood, it may last for a while, but will eventually pop off.

[Pat B]

The only way to find out is to try.  I've not had much luck leaving bark on bows. It usually cracks and in most cases the crack ran into the wood.     If you have any red osier shafts with the bark still on make a small bow and see if it holds up.

[Springbuck]

  Ok, thanks.  i was enjoying the thought of the red bark and white flecks.

  I have had bark stay on plum saplings.

[bradsmith2010]

i think it is a risk,,

[PEARL DRUMS]

I was hoping to keep bark on an ocean spray Im working right now. All was well until I tried to low brace it, the bark cracked and popped right near the fade. I ended up fighting it all off, what a beach that was. But all is well now and the bow is healthier as a result.

[wizardgoat]

ya i feel like it changes the tiller a bit too when it lets loose

[Springbuck]

  Well, I played with it last night, and no matter what else happens, I messed up by not taking it off when it was green!

[bradsmith2010]

well I wonder if you could raw hide back over the bark,,

[duke3192]

Is it a high crown, how about a hollow limb design, like Simson in Bavaria does. I've got an Elm sapling that I am waiting for to try it out.

[Springbuck]

  To be clear, I didn't mess up the bow.  Just a hella lotta work taking it off now that it is dry.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Id get it gone myself. Not worth the gamble. Imagine finishing the whole bow only to have bark pop 100 shots in, and then have to remove it. Yuck...