Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Lost Arra on April 09, 2008, 11:06:12 pm
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Lightning!
We had a typical great plains spring storm the other night and we were rocked by an explosion not 40 yards from the front porch at about 4am.
The next morning I found this oak had taken a direct hit and blown the bark off. Some is still hanging but it has been completely disconnected from the trunk (?cambium?).
Everyone tells me this tree has no chance so at the first sign of death I'm cutting it down and splitting it. Should I cut it now?
Does anyone know if electrocuted wood will work for bows?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/LightningTree005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/LightningTree011.jpg)
Remaining bark hanging from upper limbs:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/LightningTree010.jpg)
Exit wound at ground level trenching out the dirt:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/LightningTree009.jpg)
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That musta been one helluva bang to peel the bark like that - never seen one quite like that before. Is that a post oak? Don't know anything about lightining struck trees, whether it splits em all over or just in a few places.
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In the book[ Bows and arrows of the Cherokee] there is a paragraph or two about a bow made from a tree that was struck by lightning, powerfull medicine you split it out send me a stave I will make bow and it shall be called thunder struck
Dennis
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I'd cut it now, and split it right away, i'm sure it would make a bow. Only one way to find out ;)
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This weekend I slept out in a new floorless tent not 30' from that tree. I wonder if I would have been debarked too?
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Ah man you wouldnt be debarked just needing clean undershorts ;D
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Ive heard theories that lightning struck wood is cellularly crystalized,and may not be good bow wood.I say you wont know till you try it. Ill wager its got some mojo because of being struck. So when ya get one done post some pics!
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If the Bark is gone a bad as it looks...the Tree will only grow where the Cambium is still intact....so to me it looks doomed....and I would cut it before any fungus or diseases sets in and ruins that nice Oak....and as for the Lightning Strike.....that Powerful Medicine....so use it all...... did the Lightning blow the Ground up around it??? If so look for the Lightning Bolt in the Ground too....it will have turned the Sand and dirt to glass....looks just like tree roots when you dig it up!!!!!
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I would think it would be great. JJ and I have found that fire killed yew is premium for some reason. It seems to cure the sap into resin while still in the tree so lightning might do the same to good results. Please keep us posted. ;) Keenan
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yep lighting struck trees are very special to ancient people
I was told it automatically cures the wood, a lightning struck ash was one of the most valued things on the plains
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Don't know about a bow but I will tell you be very very careful when you cut it.I cut one a few years back and just as the saw got started it split right up the side all the way to the top,almost got me,I was a little quicker then,so be cautious.Most of the timber folks won't touch them,you just never know what they will do,that is a big tree so be prepaired to run,fast.Good luck. :)
Pappy
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The guy that wrote the article for PA on saltwater curing and the urine soaked buffalo hide
said there was big magic in lightning struck wood so it must be true ::) :P
Like Pappy said be prepared to run fast when ya cut it.
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Besides the buds at the tip of each branch, the cambium between the bark and the wood, is the only living part of the tree. Everything else is dead and is used as storage or for protection and strength. That tree IS DEAD!!! I've never cut a lightning struck tree but heed what Pappy said. You might be able to bind the trunk with rope first to prevent, or at least slow down a fast split while cutting. Be careful! Pat
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Dana you won't do. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Pappy
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ya I'm a trouble maker :o
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Thanks for the warnings about cutting. I'll have to take a very careful approach.
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I cut a couple of them they do split on their own .You might ought to try to cut some of those branches off first .That way you remove some of the weight prying on the trunk ,and the splitting won't be as bad.
Ralph
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Anyone else reminded of the Roy Hobbs story "The Natural" ? He made a bat out of a struck oak tree....
name it "wonder boy"
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Pappy: thanks again about warning me of the danger of cutting a lightning-strike tree. We had a lot of rain and wind yesterday and I checked the trunk this evening. You are absolutely right. It is split in about 6 locations which look to be great for staves after I get it on the ground.
I am thinking about wrapping a chain and some heavy ratchet straps around the trunk before I cut it. Hopefully to hold it together just enough to cut or maybe give me enough time to get out of the way. ;)
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Cut it ! cut It ! cut it ! ;D ;D ;D ;D
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dude if you get some staves out of it I claim one in honor of crazy horse =P
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And I one for Cheif Charlie Kaw-baw-gam of the Chipewwa Tribes of Upper Michigan ;D
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Now I'm going to be running off the road eyeballing for lightning struck trees to make a medicine bow :D.