Maple arrows?

[rmcpb]

I've been having a great time looking through the threads on shoot arrows but never see any made form maples.

I have a large maple and a ash in the backyard. They have had the top cut out to stop them going too high and produce LOTS of shoots each year about arrow thickness and length.

Is it worth a go at these?

Suppose they don't really cost me anything but if its been tried before and they are too brittle then its the bamboo from Bunners for me

[Bevan R.]

I do not know about maple, don't see why not. Ash makes very good shafts. both will be heavier than cane or ceder. but that is not a bad thing.

[BradB]

yes to maple shoots.   

[crooketarrow]

  I made maple shoot arrows twice and they make a good arrow. There just a little brittle and you have to restraighten them from time to time. Or I might feel this way maybe because I use to useing DOG WOOD then there no comparison.

[Pat B]

The maple shoot arrows I made worked well but were thicker in diameter than other shoots I've used.

[bowtarist]

They will work.  Don't let them get too dry before straightening them or they will get brittle.  6, 8 weeks should be plenty of time.  Cut them and hand strighten, tie em all together and every couple of days or once a week, untie and hand strighten, then tie them back up and so on.

Good luck and let's see some pics, dpgratz

[rmcpb]

Thanks for the feedback. They look good so far but are a bit on the thick side as they widen quite quickly. A bit of a visit to a scraper should fix that though. The trees are starting to drop their leaves and when that is over I will lop them again and collect the shoots.