Forsythia shoots for arrows?

[Stingray45]

Just wanted to know if anyone has ever tried this before? I have a huge forsythia bush in the common area next to my town house and was thinking about trying to cut a few shoots for arrow shafts. Just wondering if anyone else has tried and had any success? If so, should I harvest now and remove bark right away and then let dry or let dry with the bark on? Thanks.

Barry

[fishfinder401]

if you want, send them to me and ill find out  for you;)
noel
PS: cant hurt to try, i would leave the bark on and dip the ends in wax, what i have noticed is with the shoots i ave used is theat they will tell you when they are ready to use, the bark will crinkle and buckle as the wood shrinks
hope this helps
noel

[Pat B]

Like with any otyher shoot shafting be sure you use second year growth. I've never used forsythia but I have heard of it being use for arrows. It does have a pithy center so treat that accordingly.

[Justin Snyder]

I haven't had good luck with it. It was really light weight.

[Stingray45]

I spoke to Commodore who had some posts on here about Forsythia shafts he made, and got some good advice. I'll post things up when I get them going.

Pat,

I'm not familiar with shoot shafts, what do you do with the pith? Or how do you treat that as you mentioned? Thanks.

Barry

[Pat B]

You can clean out the pith at the nock end and add a piece of hardwood dowel to strengthen that area or just adding a sinew wrap just ahead of the nock.

[Stingray45]

Thanks for the info guys. I cut some shoots the other day. Letting them dry now. Will update as I have them.