Willow Bark Fibres

[legend]

Hello all ,
I am throwing a question out on the forum to find out if anyone can give me any further information . I know that if you strip the main outer  bark from the branch of a willow tree and then snap the branch to expose the inner fibres , these can and have been used as a kind of string / twine to bind and secure things like axe heads , spear points etc because of their strength . Does anyone know if its possible to use these same fibres as a Bow backing material ? They could even be combed out possibly like sinew !
Thanks

[Pat B]

Are the fibers strong? If so there is no reason why it couldn't be used as a backing.

[legend]

Hi Pat ,
yes the fibres are strong when put under pull tension length ways , but just wondered if you would have to dry them out first or not then soak them to soften them up ?
thanks . And would they stretch when under tension as the bow is drawn ?
Mike

[Lucasade]

If you're talking about what I think is known as the bast then Otzi had what was believed to be a bow string made of it, but that was from a lime tree. He also had several other cords made of bast so it's probably fairly robust.