Black locust log.

[bentstick54]

Found a black locust tree truck that had been cut and left on the ground for a week in the woods. It is approximately 8' long and maybe 10" diameter. No visibable checking yet. Weather has been in the mid 40s to md 50s and dry. A friend loaded it up and was going to take it home and seal the ends for me until I could go back and get it.
Do you think it will still be usable for selfbows? How fast will black locust deteriorate internally?

[BowEd]

I'd get it split up.Bark and sapwood off to a heartwood ring as soon as possible.Shellac the ends and back then too.

[turtle]

Black locust is very rot resistant.  But sometimes fungus will get in it. In 40 and 50 degree dry weather I think it should be fine.

[bentstick54]

Thanks guys, it looked to good to leave lay. Have never worked with black locust but wanted to give it a try. But definitely want to start with good wood.

[osage outlaw]

I think it should be fine.  I would split it and remove the bark and sapwood as soon as you can.  Make sure to seal the back if you take the bark and sapwood off.

[Badly Bent]

Good bet that its fine under those conditions, I'd split it asap as Beadman suggested though.

[bentstick54]

I am also curious on how the grain runs on locust? The trunk and bark look as straight as you could ever hope to see. Should  I make a saw kerf down the center of one side and split with wedges from there, or split with wedges from end of the log so it follows the grain like Osage?

[osage outlaw]

I would split it like osage.  From my experience it splits very similar.  If its straight grained and clean it should split easily.

[George Tsoukalas]

I do. Nice find. Jawge

[bentstick54]

Thanks everyone. Hope to take possession this weekend and will get to splitting it and see where it goes from there.