Using dead standing or tipped over woods for warbows/bows?

[FilipT]

I have two elm trees here on the pictures. I want to use them for my warbows and lower draw weight bows. As you know, elm is pretty much devastated in Europe and situation in Croatia is no different. These two on the pictures appear healthy and hard as steel, but their bark is gone. Can I use them?

Dead standing elm


Tipped over elm, marked by arrow


Root of the tipped over elm

[DC]

There are only a few woods that can be used dead. Yew and Osage are two. I don't think Elm is one. Fungus and bugs pick on dead white woods very quickly, within days or weeks. If the leaning one still has leaves it would be fine.

[FilipT]

No trees have leaves now haha. Actually, black locust is another one that is tough and rot resistant.

[Strichev]

If it really seems usable to you, why not try it out? Quick dry it and don't bother being extremely careful while tillering it. However, to be honest, I doubt it's useful. Never tried it though, so maybe it's ok.

[FilipT]

It is already dry, as like you know, elms die and just stand there for ages. Truly strong wood. I will go to cut them today or tomorrow and see how is the inside looking. Obviously the first ring is awful and it might be needed to chase a few rings. Although maybe the first ring can just be cleaned and sanded thoroughly and be ready for bow layout. Who knows! I will keep you all updated.

[FilipT]

Eh, it was in bad condition and actually difficult to cut so I let them go. Instead I cut nearby dry but healthy black locust into 3 pieces, each about 30 cm in diameter and 2 meters long.

[Strichev]

It really is a shame that we hardly have any elm trees left. Supposedly the same is going to happen to ash when the emerald ash borer reaches us.

Let's hope the locust holds up during tillering.

[FilipT]

First I must get them home. They are on the hill and I must split them there so I can more easily bring them home. Btw, when I cut them I noticed that they don't have any whitewood. Maybe just a thin layer of it, which will make chasing rings easier.