Today while I was at work of all places, I noticed some branches that were growing around one of the electric lines. We went to trim it out of the way, at that point the homeowner came out of the house and was talking to us, he said "that old Osage tree should come out of there" I told him that they make bows out of that, he said if anyone wants some bows there they are, I didn't say anything right then but I'm going back to see him and offer to get rid of them     The one tree is about 10 inches across maybe a little more, I will save every piece that I can. About how long should i cut it and what would be my next steps to preserve it, I wouldn't get to do anything with it for some time but down the road I could.

Cut it, shellac the ends, add some insecticide and store it in a cool, dry place for a few years.  Or you can speed things up in a variety of ways.

Jim,

You can store it at my house.  

seriously, if you need help splitting it let me know.

Stone knife,  first you should call your local utility and have a professioanal,remove the tree for you. Many people die or are seriously burnt each year from trees contacting elecrical lines. Usually after removing the tree from the hazard they are more than willing to give the wood to you.

look for spiraling grain in the bark and look elsewhere if it is bad. The best osage comes from sheltered areas.

Kctreeman, that is great advice but I'm a journeyman lineman as part of my job duties and I could safely cut the trees myself in this case. Brent when I find out and get a chance to get them I'll let you know, I could send some your way.

Cut your lengths to 72" for staves and 36" for billets.

Look close at the bark for spiraling before you cut it.  Bark pattern should run pretty straight up the tree.

Don't overlook big branches.  They make bows too.

Nice to hear there is some real bow wood in NY.  I've yet to see one here.

Even if it has spiraling grain cut it and get it sawn into boards.  BBO doesn't need perfect grain... and I love working with osage for projects other than bows  :D

I would cut the billet pieces as long as you can. With 36" you are locked into just what you can get out of that piece. When a defect shows up under the bark in a longer piece you have some wiggle room to work around it.

Could Osage that is freashly cut be worked for a bow or does it have to dry for a certain amount of time?  I have some that I want to cut and take to Ojam in a couple of weeks.  Should the bark be left on or stripped?  

Archenemy