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Good time to cut wood?

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Ruddy Darter:
I'm wondering if this is a good time to cut wood (for longbow if not warbows depending on what I can get) , Hazel,  ash Holly mainly,  maybe some small yew, it's just I might have a chance to cut some now and it won't be possible another time. Will there be an issues on seasoning to consider or anything else to watch out for. I'd like to think it's worth doing. (?)
I think February is optimum time for cutting but not sure,  thanks for any enlightenment on this.

 R.D.

FilipT:
Cut it now and you can attempt to do fast drying. Meaning you rough the bow to near finished dimensions in profile and thickness but you leave some excess wood, then you clamp it to a steel or aluminum profile so it doesn't move and you put it in some shed or on attic. After a month or so, remove the clamps, clear the bow a little and put it in house near radiator. Watch when it stops loosing mass and then wait some week, then you can proceed to the tillering.

Ruddy Darter:
Thanks Stalker,  I was going to try something like that,  although the stuff I'll possibly get won't be far off bow dimensions after splitting,  I doubt I'll get anything that substantial but for a couple of pieces to have a play with will be worthwhile. I wondered if there would be any marked differences in the woods properties, or more prone to checking.
Thanks again,

 R.D.

stuckinthemud:
Some say the sap runs slower now as the leaves drop, some say the sap runs more or less constant through the year but late Autumn and winter are my preferred times to cut as the brambles and nettles die back so access is easier and with the leaves gone finding straight sticks is easier too

Ruddy Darter:
That sounds about right, I wondered if there was an optimum month for cutting but I have to go for it now anyway.  :)
Anyone use anything to protect against bugs etc?
 R.D.

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