How long to store billets?

[paulc]

I cut some wood, hickory, hornbeam, and maybe hophorn...?no longer sure on the names.  Anyway, I have had this wood in storage for 8yrs and have never done anything with it.  How long is too long to store a billet?  They all have the bark still on...TIA
ps:I also have large dia bamboo that I have had for at least 4 yrs plus...

[sailordad]

peel off the bark and check for bugs, if there are no bugs i would use it
as far as the boo goes, no idea



                                                                 tim

[Hillbilly]

If it's been kept dry and bug-free, that's primo wood. Old, well-seasoned wood is the stuff you want as long as it hasn't been exposed to moisture-whitewoods are quick to decay unless they're kept dry. If I leave bark on hickory or hophornbeam here for even a few months, it gets ate up with wood borers.

[paulc]

So I took some bark off to see what I have and it is worm eaten.  Assuming I have the skill to chase a ring, which I don't, I could still use it to make a bow?  Or if I just got rid of the damage and backed it with something I could use it?  Or is it firewood now?  TIA

[Bowbound]

In my opinion if you can take it beneath the bug damage then you might be ok, but if not then it is likely to fail. How deep is the damage? Pictures would help too.

[adb]

If there's not rot or other damage, it should be very stabilized as far as moisture content goes! I usually air dry my wood for about 1 year.

[Postman]

I'm sure you have the skill to chase a ring - just need a decent drawknife and scraper!
If I can do it, anyone can.  plenty of posts here on the subject.