Harvesting ash staves

[Man of Tanith]

Morning all
looking for a little advice on the above really
plan to use them for making myself a bow and was wondering other than as straight as possible if there is anything i need to look for in potential staves?
Thanks in advance

 

[flexo]

wood seems to be strait when standing,the best way to harvest strait one is to split it,and afterward to straiten it by fire (thing i don't manage so well) ,let's see what is the opinion of other people!

 

[outpost31]

try to give yourself at least a foot more length than you need, when drying out ash is prone to splitting.Select staves with as few branches as possible,a slight outward bend can make a good deflex bow, but an inward one usually results in string follow. good luck mate.

 

[_scorpio_]

i remember something to do with the space between rings needs to be quite large (quick growth), i think it was for axe handles but may have some effect on the bow.

 

[Shireman]

If you can pick an ash around 4-5" peel then split the pole, select a portion thats pretty much knot free.Then try and work with more of the sapwood this will give you the springy fibres you need for the bow . Hope it helps

 

[Man of Tanith]

Thanks for the replies folks
All very helpful so far