Todays Yew Haul..

[ravenbeak]

well,  where to start.

On Friday I called one of the forestry companies on the North Island and asked about good spots for yew wood.   Talked with a really nice fellow who told me about a spot that the loggers had hauled some big down yew onto the road and were cutting up for firewood.

Well..   I went there with a buddy today,  worked for a couple hours and here is about half the wood.   The other half is in the trailer.  Planning on getting it milled up in to 2" thick planks.

wow.   Going out again tomorrow to the other spot the forester mentioned.

[Adam]

Great haul!  It's very sad to think that wood might have been turned into firewood.

[Weylin]

Holy $#&%!  Those are the biggest yew logs that I have ever seen. That makes our summer haul look like twigs and ours were pretty good sized. Where is this island of yours? I'll be interested to hear how many staves you get out of that. are they pretty clean and straight? How long are they.

[KellyG]

That is a lot of bow wood. Once you get is seasoned you should be good for a bit.

[ravenbeak]

The bottom rounds are very straight,   some of the upper rounds definitely have some big knots.   The wood will have some twist in it,  so we will see how it turns out after milling.   The big stuff is about 15 inch diameter and darn heavy.   Thankfully it was sitting roadside.  All the logs are cut at 6 feet,   except two big butt ends which are 4 ft.   

The loggers tell me that yew burns real nice.  haha,  crazy.

[vinemaplebows]

That looks like some good stuff!!!

[Weylin]

Any reason that you're milling it instead of splitting it into staves? I'm assuming you'll use the planks for laminate bows. Are you just trying to get the most out of the logs that way? Not saying I would have fun trying to split those beasts.

[ravenbeak]

If you have seen the wood,   you will understand.     

I am going for a collection of 3 and 6ft.   heartwood 2x2's .   Having the wood milled is one million times easier than trying to split these logs,  and in busy lives time can be precious.  Also the wood has been down all summer and there are drying checks in the sapwood.    We are hoping to get close to a hundred out of this load. with the potential for more tomorrow.



Our small business (pm for details)  teaches bow making workshops in our province.  We also attend the hunting trade shows and sell custom yew wood bows,  and most recently being accepted into juried fine art shows.

This wood will make ideal backed selfbows during our workshops,  with either rawhide or thick python skins.
I will also be looking to trade off a good amount of this wood.   To help quench the appetite for those looking to get their hands on a good piece of yew.

Jamie

[Weylin]

Cool, that makes sense. Good luck with all of that, it sounds like a lot of fun. Is that in B.C.?

[coaster500]

That's a great haul jamie!!! Looks to be about a 1/2 cord of bow wood

[ionicmuffin]

dang! i want to know were i can get some!

[ravenbeak]

...pm me...

[soy]

Nice jag o yew you have there , bring it on down and I will help you splitter up

[Carson (CMB)]

Nice work saving some fine firewood ravenbeak.  Too bad about the checking, but imagine how heavy those would be if they were fully green !  Sounds like you have great little outfit going on...  glad you found a supply for it.

[ravenbeak]

Thanks,   I am amazed to find such wood and in such quantity.

Trying not to get ahead of myself, but that is gonna be lots of 2x2