Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: J05H on June 21, 2014, 08:05:17 pm

Title: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: J05H on June 21, 2014, 08:05:17 pm

We have several of these on my dad's place, and he's planning to cut them in a week or so. I'm just curious whether or not they'll make a decent bow wood. I'm probably gonna split some staves any way just to experiment, but I'd like to know what I've got if anybody can help me. Here are the pics.

(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20140621_142715140_HDR.jpg)

(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20140621_142723693.jpg)

(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab359/J05H/IMG_20140621_142741973.jpg)

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: DarkSoul on June 21, 2014, 08:11:49 pm

It's in the Bignoniaceae family.
Has pretty light weight and weak wood. Not worth the trouble for bows.

I'm letting myself down for not remembering the species name...dang, it's on the tip of my tongue...not Catalpa, but....?!
Got it! Paulownia tomentosa.
Actually not in the Bignoniaceae family, but in the Paulowniaceae family. My bad. Looks awefully similar to many Bignoniaceae plants though...the leaves and flowers are a perfect match.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: J05H on June 21, 2014, 08:16:49 pm

OK thanks man. You just saved me lot of wasted time and effort.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: Pat B on June 21, 2014, 11:28:32 pm

I think its good carving wood and revered in Japan for dowry boxes but worthless for bows.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: wapiti1997 on June 22, 2014, 08:27:51 pm

Yep, paulownia  - non-native invasive, soft, fast growing wood.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: 4dog on June 22, 2014, 08:53:32 pm

catawba??

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: nakedfeet on June 22, 2014, 10:00:59 pm

4dog, if you mean Catalpa, that was my first thought too. The leaves look the same. The bark not so much, and the fruit looks completely different.  I believe DarkSoul is right.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: Pat B on June 23, 2014, 12:55:47 am

Purple flowers or white flowers?

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: J05H on June 23, 2014, 03:26:11 am

It doesn't have any flowers right yet this year and I can't remember what color they were.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: Pat B on June 23, 2014, 09:27:21 am

Those are seed pods on the tree now so they have already loomed. I still say Paulonia.

Title: Re: Anybody know what kind of tree this is?
Post by: okie64 on June 23, 2014, 10:06:04 am

Here ya go, I was wandering the same thing a couple months ago.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,45158.msg611364.html#msg611364