Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Josh on May 24, 2009, 08:20:37 pm

Title: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: Josh on May 24, 2009, 08:20:37 pm

I was out in the woods today with my bow saw and hatchet looking for some new bow wood when I ran across this tree.  I have it narrowed down to either Elm or Hop Hornbeam can't tell the difference from my tree book.  Please help me!!!!

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/kdk_0384.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/kdk_0383.jpg)

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c120/deftones3333/kdk_0381.jpg)

Title: Re: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: Hillbilly on May 24, 2009, 08:27:38 pm

That's elm, definitely.

Title: Re: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: JustAim on May 24, 2009, 08:32:51 pm

Thats a Winged Elm tree or also called Cork Elm.

Title: Re: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: Josh on May 24, 2009, 08:48:58 pm

Thanks for helping identify what kinda wood it is, now will it make a bow?  What style/demensions would you use to make an efficient, long lasting bow outta this piece of wood?  Is it worth working?   Do I chase a ring or just debark? 

Title: Re: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: Hillbilly on May 24, 2009, 08:56:41 pm

It is excellent bow wood, one of the better whitewoods IMO. No ring chasing, just peel the bark. Elm is versatile, it will make almost any design of bow from a simple Woodlands D-bow to a reflexed static recurve. A long D-bow about 66"-68" long and 1 1/4" wide at the handle is a good basic design, as is a stiff-handled flatbow about the same length, 1 5/8"-1 3/4" wide fades to midlimb tapering to 1/2" nocks.

Title: Re: what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)
Post by: Josh on May 24, 2009, 09:12:37 pm

thanks Hillbilly!  You always seem to know the answer to my questions. :)  peace.  And thanks to you too JustAim. <<<good advice in your screen name as well lol.