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Author Topic: cherry saplings for bows?  (Read 2125 times)

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Offline sieddy

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cherry saplings for bows?
« on: January 13, 2018, 05:41:56 am »
Hi guys I've found some straight and clean small diameter (3") cherry saplings nearby where I live. I was wondering if these would be viable for bendy handle d bows. Possibly decrowned or with hollow limb design? Thanks Si  :)
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Offline stuckinthemud

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2018, 07:24:03 am »
Be nice if you knew the exact type of cherry, some types need backing, some don't but prunus makes a very fast bow. Check out Druid's longbow on paleoplanet https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/paleoplanet69529/wild-cherry-longbow-t45061.html
« Last Edit: January 13, 2018, 07:31:47 am by stuckinthemud »
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Offline sieddy

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2018, 09:06:55 am »
Hey thanks for that stuckinthemud. Druids bow looks wild indeed and has quite a high crown for such a powerful bow.
I don't know what kind of cherry i'm looking at, maybe I'll be able to figure it out come spring when it buds and flowers (but different cherries look quite similar I think?) Anyway I live in a urban environment with a mild climate so I don't think they'll be the toughest of trees.
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"No man ever broke his bow but another man found a use for the string" Irish proverb

Offline sleek

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2018, 11:40:44 am »
I came to the conclusion long ago that Druid is a demigod among bowyers. His bows are not something many can pull off. Especially with cherry, it likes to make itself into toothpicks at full draw.
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Offline Pat B

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2018, 11:46:10 am »
Wait til spring, as the leaves emerge to cut the sapling so you can peel the bark off to expose a pristine back. The only cherry(black cherry) I've made were from the sapwood just under the bark.
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Offline PatM

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2018, 12:30:21 pm »
  "Cherry" is a very broad term for a lot of Prunus trees with very different characteristics.
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Offline sieddy

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2018, 01:21:37 pm »
Cheers for the input chaps its much appreciated. Sleek I hear ya Druid obviously worked magic with that beast of a bow. My efforts are considerably more humble.
I'm thinking its wild cherry on the basis of the bark, but time will tell (hopefully!)
Anyway when the sap rises I'll cut some and give it a go. Although I think I'm better off with Hawthorn and hazel.
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"No man ever broke his bow but another man found a use for the string" Irish proverb

Offline stuckinthemud

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Re: cherry saplings for bows?
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2018, 03:40:07 pm »
I think bird cherry is ok, but the flowering/ornamentals are more fragile. Also, saplings are much better than mature trees. Still, with enough staves for 6 bows, if the first one fails, you know you'll just have to back the other 5 ;-)
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