Following the grain on elm

[RyanY]

Took the bark off a couple of elm staves recently and ran into something I haven’t seen with other woods. When marking out the center line there were areas where the grain would suddenly shoot off in opposite directions. Makes sense as to why it’s hard to split. Wondering if anyone has advice for following the grain on the back or if it matters that much with elm in general. Thanks!

[bownarra]

On those funky staves I would follow the crown. If the staves are dead flat then take an average!

[PatM]

Each year the wood is laid down in different side to side waves.  What you see on the outer ring only reflects that year.   If the trunk was straight then just straightline the bow.  You only need to follow an actual snake profile if the tree grew in that shape.

[BowEd]

Well said and I agree.Kind of a general rule on all wood really.
I've read where there is cross longitudal grain interlocking lengthwise longitudal grain to make it a harder to split type wood.Can't prove it by me though.The outside ring is going to do most of the tension work though.
It's supposed to be one of the reasons why it does'nt split very easily when worked on.

[Aksel]

Are you roughing out the stave green? If so, I´d follow the grain to prevent warping. If dry, not so important.

[bassman211]

A chain saw will make short order  for splitting elm, and some staves do have crazy grain.

[BowEd]

Yes I've scored elm with a skill saw before with success.I don't think I've seen what Ryan described though.Maybe a picture would tell more.

[PatM]

It looks like water flowing in a rocky stream.

[RyanY]

The staves were fairly straight with mild character. Not enough crown to follow. It's as PatM describes. It almost looks like to streams of water meeting. I tried to get pictures but they didn't turn out the best. You can kind of make out the intersecting grain cutting diagonally across the stave.

[bownarra]

That looks a lot like the elm we get here. i think you are good

[BowEd]

Thanks Ryan...Good looking stave there.Mild snake to it.

[RyanY]

Thanks for all the advice! Always more to learn! 

[bushboy]

Well said pat m

[superdav95]

To illustrate what pat m was saying here is a elm log I cut and kerfed last week or so.  You can see that outer layer of grain that looks snaky but the log look straight as an arrow.  The last bow I made with elm last year was similar but not as pronounced with grain runoff.