I may be able to get my hands on two to three very stout trunks from some Kentucky Coffee Trees that are being cut down at my workplace this week. I've seen two of the three trees and they have trunks at least 8-10" in diameter from which I can get staves up to probably 7' long or so. Tim Baker includes KCT in his list of bow woods under the best bow woods category. It has a specific gravity of .60 and the only other info I've found (from a post on here), says, "The wood of Kentucky coffeetree is ring porous, resembling ash, honeylocust or sassafras. Its sapwood is narrow and yellowish white, while the heartwood is light red to reddish brown. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. It is hard and heavy, with a coarse, straight grain." It also says, "Working Properties: Kentucky coffeetree works without difficulty and finishes to a smooth surface.Durability: Very resistant to heartwood decay, especially in contact with the soil. Uses: Cabinets, railroad ties, fence posts and rails, general construction, railway sleepers, bridge timbers, sills, interior finish, fuel. The seeds were used by the pioneers as a coffee substitute ("coffeetree")." All in all it sounds like a interesting wood to work with and one for which there seems to be a complete lack of info regading its use in making bows. If I can get a couple of these trees I can probably get I'd think at least 12 staves if not more, so I'd have plenty to experiment with. I'm thinking typical flatbows would be the safest bet but I'm also wondering if other designs like crowned belly English Longbow would work with this wood. I supposed I can also try other things like Holmgaards and such as well. Any thoughts?
