u/digitaljbgmverse

I'd like opinions about this. I'm making a windsor style chair. The seat is a half circle shape. I'm thinking about trying a hoop rail. I don't have a steam box, but I do have access to plenty of green wood. Could I harvest a sapling (maybe beech or hazel) and simply bend it to meet and join the spindles? This is hard to describe. Alternatively, could I split a small diameter tree (2" dia.) in half, and then bend the (1") half to use as a hoop rail mortise for the spindles? Without steaming it. Any thoughts?