Laburnum Stave... exploded

[Del the cat]

This came from a Laburnum (Golden Chain Tree) that died in our garden... the two halves have been starin' at me for years darin' me to try and make 'em into bows.
Having just finished a Yew ELB I was at a loose end so I've roughed 'em down a tad... and then a bit more and maybe I can see a bow in there.
This stuff is hard as nails after working Yew.
It has some nice even deflex, so maybe it's askin to have the tips gently reflexed.
Don't see any obvious problems 
BTW the chalk line is the centre of the stave.
Del

[Stoker]

Isn't that what Simon used for his hollow limb bow
Thanks Leroy

[Benedikt]

Good luck!
Laburnum is one of the best bow woods!
You actually could have left the spawood on

[Del the cat]

Good luck!
Laburnum is one of the best bow woods!
You actually could have left the sapwood on

The sapwood looked a bit rough.
I have used it before ages ago on a primitive crossbow.
Del

[BowEd]

Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.

[Del the cat]

Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.

Knot? Wotnot?
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del

[DC]

You going to take another shot at shooting through the hole

[bjrogg]

Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.

Knot? Wotnot?
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del
[/quote
I thought that was going to be center shoot arrow hole. Can't wait to see what you come up with Del. I'm sure it'll be interesting.
Bjrogg

[BowEd]

Quite an obvious knot there.Love to see it work for ya.

Knot? Wotnot?
I've sharpened my tools and it's cutting a bit easier now, feels a bit like Osage.
Del
I've never worked laburnum but one thing I do know feeling like osage with carving tools and being osage are 2 different things.I've seen it written that it was an outstanding wood though.

[Del the cat]

I'm not planning on shooting through the hole... but then I'm not actually doing much planning at all
Just keep noodling away at it and see what it turns into!
Del

[bjrogg]

Love it when something that's not a plan comes together. I'm sure it will be interesting Del even if it's a video of you falling backwards as it blows up on the tree.lol. Just don't hurt yourself. My money is on shooting through the hole though.
Bjrogg

[simson]

That is a nice looking stave Mr. Cat!
How longis it and how thick is the sap? Use the sap only if it is 100% intact! and max 1/3 sap 2/3 heart.

I would definitely flipp or better recurve it, leaving a non bendy handle including the knot.

Good luck on your project, let's see what you're doing!

[Del the cat]

The stave is 62"
I have the stave from the other half which is cleaner and nicely reflexed
I'll certainly let you all know how it turns out...
Del

[wizardgoat]

I recently cut some laburnum, I can't wait to get into it.
I found a large grove under a highway overpass, but only found a few worth cutting.
Such nice looking wood

[upstatenybowyer]

I've always wanted to try this wood. A guy down the street had a really nice tree with a few straight branches. I always drooled over it on the way to work. One day on the way back from work, the entire thing was cut into 16" logs on the side of the street! I've never seen another Laburnum tree around here since.