Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bluegill68 on November 03, 2016, 10:50:27 pm

Title: Growth ring separation ??
Post by: bluegill68 on November 03, 2016, 10:50:27 pm

Fellas,

I did a cursory search but din't find what I was looking for. In your experiences what causes the growth rings to separate? Is it relative to the individual tree? Will all sister staves/billets exhibit the separations? Can it be caused from improper handling of logs/staves?

A friend of mine has had several staves show up recently that have this malady? Just got me to thinking.

Thanks Sean

Title: Re: Growth ring separation ??
Post by: Pat B on November 03, 2016, 11:07:19 pm

From my experience most delamination in trees and bow staves occurs from "wind shear" caused by the tree twisting in the wind as they grow. I have noticed that some of the locust around here has a fungi that degrades the early wood causing delamination between heartwood rings but only after stressing the wood while building a bow.

Title: Re: Growth ring separation ??
Post by: osage outlaw on November 03, 2016, 11:56:36 pm

I've seen it happen on staves while drying.  I cut a red osage tree a few years back and every stave developed side checks between the rings. 

Title: Re: Growth ring separation ??
Post by: Dances with squirrels on November 04, 2016, 10:07:31 am

Drying stave-splits too quickly does it.

Title: Re: Growth ring separation ??
Post by: bluegill68 on November 05, 2016, 11:19:13 am

Thanks for the replies I'll pass the info on to my friend.