What are the reasons to decrown a stave?

[Adam Keiper]

I've made bows from high crowned staves, just made them narrower and longer than normal.  If my only option was to decrown (or use board lumber), I'd back with hickory or at least rawhide.

[Hickoryswitch]

Ive decrowned several bows so far only one gave. I don't do it much now since i have more wood. I made an ash bow that was decrowned and so far it is still holding up well. But the next one I built cracked at a knot I worked badly. So in my opinion it's kinda risky but if you have to it is an option.