Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Don Case on August 17, 2013, 10:33:10 pm

Title: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: Don Case on August 17, 2013, 10:33:10 pm: I was out wandering in the woods and I found a few Saskatoon trees 3-4" dia. By the sounds of the stuff I found in my "search" it seems like reasonably good wood. Is there any special care I should take in collecting it? Can I collect it now? Should I mark it and collect it in the winter? Does it check badly?
Thanks
Don
Title: Re: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: Danzn Bar on August 18, 2013, 12:03:32 am: I would treat it like any white wood, cut it when the sap is up, de-bark and seal the ends and back ASAP.

Is service berry the same as Shad Tree???
DBar
Title: Re: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: bushboy on August 18, 2013, 01:06:04 am: Does the sakatoon have purple berries that make for a mean pie?
Title: Re: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: Don Case on August 18, 2013, 01:26:47 am: According to Wikipedia it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelanchier

And according to Don yes it does. HMMMMMMM Pie!!
Don
Title: Re: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: Weylin on August 18, 2013, 01:31:36 am: I've seen saskatoon made into very nice bows.
Title: Re: Saskatoon(service berry)
Post by: Zion on August 18, 2013, 02:12:30 am: Just dont let it dry too quick. It's fine to debark it now, it'll make the the back orange and cool looking. It will check if dried too quick. The tension strength is very slightly greater than the compression strength, so if it is too narrow or short, heavy, etc, you will get minor chrysals. Be careful of grain tearouts when working with any kind of knife, you'll have to use a rasp more than normal. it'll smooth out to a great finish. I wouldn't suggest splitting it tho, the grain is usually twisted. Any diameter from 3/4" beyond will work great. If you want you can check out some of my posts to get an idea, it's also my primary wood, definitely a great bow wood.