cherry bark questions

[bootboy]

Hey guys! 
 I recently came into possesion, of some cherry logs, I doubt that they are long enough to make a self bow, but I took them for their bark. I know that they bark, like birch does. My question to you fellas is, how to is properly remove it, then back a bow with it. I have heard you'll need the bark off a rotten tree. This didnt sound right to me. So I came to the horses mouth.

I havent checked the "how to" section yet. I would imagine that would also be a good place for me to go.

[crooketarrow]

  I

[crooketarrow]

  I peeled mine in the spring just because thats when I found it. flaten it out between 2 boards to dry. I've only did this twice. Put it on with elmers and second time TB 111 wraped with ace bandge. Worked and looked nice.

[bootboy]

thanks a lot mate.

[dwardo]

Alls i can add is you have no chance when its seasoned. Atleast no chance of getting it off in strips less than 2mm wide lol.
If i harvest birch bark for contrainers i either do it green or wrotten so i guess cherry would be the same.

[Pat B]

Is it choke cherry or fire cherry you have? Regular black cherry bark won't work as a backing.
The correct cherry bark grows around the tree and not along the trunk like other bark does. The tree has to be big enough so you get pieces of bark long enough to back a bow with.  With choke cherry and fire cherry the bark stays sound even after a tree has rotted somewhat so you can harvest it from dead trees. 

[Josh B]

PatB, chokecherry bark strength comes from strips cut from around the girth?  Man, I'm glad I read this thread!  I thought it ran the length and black cherry was from around the girth.  I misunderstood whoever it was that was extolling the virtues of chokecherry  bark to me.  You probably just saved me from alot of grief!  Thanx,  Josh