Hickory, cut, split, debarked and stacked.

[Don W]

I just hope I have enough aleve to climb out of bed tomorrow

My plan is to let it set in the carport and move it in one at a time, get it shaped and let it dry in the upstairs of the shop unless you guys have a better plan

[Hamish]

Did you seal the backs, ends of the staves? Hickory likes to check.

[Don W]

Just the ends

[Pat B]

The bark wouldn't peel off?

[Don W]

The bark is off (except the short pieces, I'm going to try some split arrows)

[Hamish]

That's some nice wood. I would definitely seal the backs with some pva.

[Don W]

I didn't know you needed to seal the backs. I'll do that tomorrow. Thanks.

[BowEd]

Good haul of hickory Don.Got an idea what kind it is?It'll be hard that's for sure.It's nice using practically the whole tree for bows.In my neck of the woods right now this time of year is best to harvest hickory.The bark will just pop off and it's all there.I've only got shag and pig nut here but it's excellent bow wood.The pignuts' bark here is'nt quite so thick as the shag bark.You'll have fun.
Just using a large screw driver to get the bark started and it comes off whole or at least in half with this shag bark.I seal the backs too using shellack and store the staves off the ground on a rack in a shed.Post hole bugs will ruin it if it touches the ground here.

Good idea saving some for arrow shafts.I made an arrow storage tube from the bark.Glued the edges back together with smooth on glue after it dried around a pvc pipe.Could'nt stand to let that go to waste either.It's some thick stuff on that shag bark.

[Don W]

Nice. I believe this is shagbark. And whoever wrote the bark peels right off forgot to tell this tree. I used a draw knife. I'm on my way to seal the back right now.

[BowEd]

It could be all about moisture content in the ground in that area too.Either way you got the job done.Nice haul.

[Don W]

Yeah, this was on the top of a ledgy mountain

[Pat B]

Once the leaves are out the bark should peel off like Ed indicated. It is when the new cambium layer is active and that makes the bark "slip". The cambium and the buds are the only living part of a tree. The bark and wood are both dead wood cells used for structure, nutrient storage and moisture movement.