I built locust and quite a few hickory.. hickory is the worst for soaking up moisture but the best bow wood of those listed IMO.. well cedar is pretty dang good when backed properly... so light in hand like hickory.. now hickory is my fav.. cut in summer bark peels off and there is your back..I rough out, recurve it ,then set in closet where I have a floor vent for 6 months .. minimum... you can seal ends if you want but not really necessary IMO... but every time you work it if you go outside.. it goes back in the closet.... till finished then seal whole bow and its as good as an osage bow. IMO... love it but a royal pain in the south... I'm in Ga ... gut