Apple Sprout Shafts?

[Christophero]

Having grown up on an apple orchard years ago I am now wondering if apple water shoots that get pruned off in the spring make good arrow shafts.  If you are not familar a water sprout is the yearly growth, that no matter where they originate on the limb or trunk, always grow straight up, even if they come out of the bottom of a limb.  They are generally smooth and straight.  And, they are plentiful and easy to obtain. 
Anyone ever try them?

[TRACY]

Give them a try and let us know. As long as they are rigid enough they should work.

Tracy

[Mechslasher]

send me some about 1/2 - 5/8" at the base and 36 - 40" long and i'll let you know how they work out.

[Pat B]

Someone a few years ago was making arrows from apple shoots. There is no reason they wouldn't work. The only possible problem I see is they are only a single growth ring(one years growth) and as far as other hardwood shoots 2nd year growth seems to be more rigid, making for better shafts. Collect a mess, bundle them and put them up to cure out for a while.
  You are going to have to reduce their diameter a bit anyway so even 1/2" or slightly larger at the base will work without too much effort.
    Let us know how they work out for you.

[broken arrow]

I will give the applewood shoots a try. Right now i am working with wild rose and nine bark.

Thanks for the idea.

winston

[boo]

i have a couple apple trees in the front yard , i just went and looked and sure enough there's about five good straight shoots. ill give one a try and let ya know also.

[Hillbilly]

I've tried them. Make decent arrows.