Useable? Dead yew found

[Corvus]

Found a dead yew on the beach, sapwood will be toast from being seasoned "au naturale". Heartwood seems to be in decent shape though, won't really know how deep checks might run until I get it home and split it. Seems like a good find for some ready to work wood though.

[Del the cat]

Heartwood probably ok, depends on how badly it's checked, sapwood probably no good.
Backed with Hickory or bamboo makes a nice bow. A good clean backing will hold some checking together.
Del

[Corvus]

Heartwood probably ok, depends on how badly it's checked, sapwood probably no good.
Backed with Hickory or bamboo makes a nice bow. A good clean backing will hold some checking together.
Del

Yeah I need to find some boo for backing, only have sinew for backing material right now. The checks appear to rarely go past the sapwood and not very deep into the heartwood when they do. I noted that the sapwood was toast, just how it is gonna be on a find like this.

[stuckinthemud]

Sinew backed yew is a good combination

[Corvus]

Sinew backed yew is a good combination

Yeah, just do want to do some boo backing at some point anyways. Have only done sinew backing. Hoping I get some workable staves out of this lot. Will make some paddles if I only get shorter staves due to damage

[Corvus]

So seems like it is still a little wet(property owner said it has been dead down there for years tho), but also my greener pieces are surprisingly dry already as well then. Just need to store them up to finish drying. That or my brand new moisture meter I just broke out is malfunctioning. Everything is 15-20%