Question for elm gurus

[willie]

Marc

I have had fairly good results with Elm that have fairly thick growth rings, 1/4" and more.  Those Elm are usually less dense than thinner ringed wood but they are more often than not more elastic.

If you are choosing elm for best elasticity, do you look at the early/late wood ratio, or just the width?, and are these observations just for elm,or do you see the same in other whitewoods?

thx

willie

 

[Marc St Louis]

The early wood seems to be fairly consistent in Elm from tree to tree regardless of the thickness of the rings.  These observations are specifically geared towards Elm.  HHB is a more consistent wood from tree to tree, the same with Rock Maple.  I don't cut enough or make many bows with White Ash to be able to tell as I consider it a mediocre bow wood.

[willie]

Thanks for passing along your experience, Marc . If I ever get to elm country, I will probably look for some to harvest.

Willie

[Ink]

This turned out to be a really informative thread. Thanks for all your input Marc.

[4dog]

well jason ya wanted an elm guru...think ya got THE elm guru!