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Fresh Osage Staves

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tarsus:
Hello to all.  I cut and split several Osage trees yesterday, and I was just wondering if I should remove the bark from them and apply a sealant, skip the sealant, or just leave the bark on for the drying process.  I tried to look up some answers from past discussions, but had no luck.  I know that recommendations have been posted in the past.  These will be drying in  my basement, which is not too humid, but stays fairly cool during the summer.  I will try to post some pics of the staves later today.  Thanks in advance!   David

mullet:
   You can leave the bark on and seal the ends.Or if you remove the bark also remove the sapwood.If you don't remove the sapwood it will start checking on the back as it dries.If you do remove the bark and sapwood you still need to seal the ends and I would seal the back also.

tarsus:
Thanks, I sealed the ends almost before the trees hit the ground (shortly there after) but I was not sure about the sapwood.  After the sapwood is removed I will not need to seal the backs?    David

welch2:
Leaving the bark on lets the back dry slow,but the sapwood is harder to remove dry.If you remove the bark now ,the back will dry much faster and it will check or crack, as Mullet said.

So most people go ahead and remove the sapwood ,then seal the back with poly or something to detard checking.

Ralph

tarsus:
Thanks Guys!!!  I got several done today, and will try to finish the rest tomorrow.  I have noticed that several staves have started to take a propeller twist to them.  I hope that it will be something that I can still work with.  Thanks for the help.   :)  David

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