Sumac

[JW_Halverson]

I was gifted with a 5' diameter log of unknown origins.  I ran it over to the City Arborist, he was stumped (man I love puns).  Took it to the County Extension Agent and he went out on a limb (hehe) and said it might be a softwood, but was unsure.  He leafed (*giggle*) through some books and said he was going to the eastern part of the state and wood (hawhaw) take it along to have some other guys look at it.  I got the call today and he says it is some sort of sumac, but cannot say for sure since there are no leaves to compare. 

Long and short of it, this wood is dense, extremely close growth rings, pale sapwood and dark heartwood.  If I make a sumac bow, should I use sapwood or go down to heartwood?  Anyone have experience with sumac?

[Marc St Louis]

No experience making bows out of Sumac but I have cut some before.  The Sumac up here is ring porous with green heartwood.  It's also very light.

[Justin Snyder]

I wouldn't waste my time with sumac for a bow. My experience is that it takes a lot of set and works about as well as cottonwood or aspen. You might try it for arrows though.

[Far East Archer]

Japanese sumac, or wax tree　Rhus succedanea is quite dense, 0.70 sg and is used for core wood many times. Though, I am tempted to try selfbow from it or backed bow. (to be honest small shoots snapped quite easily but are very springy before snapping. Maybe weak in tension but has good compression strength.) So, some testing is needed.

[okiecountryboy]

Keep testing!
If we don't try new things....none of us learn...
Let me know what you find out!
I think, whatever you try, you bring experience to us all!!!!!

God
Bless

Ron

[Thwackaddict]

Bend It!!!

[HatchA]

Can't hurt to add it to the "to do" list, can it?  As said above... it's all experience, knowledge and information to pass on, eh?   

[Josh]

Don't be a sap, the root of the problem is I never saw anyone use it.  I woodn't use it it as it appears you are barking up the wrong tree. 

[ken75]

jw if im not mistaken ancient archer uses it. dont know the characteristics though
lol josh i see its contagious

[Josh]

Hey now, you better leaf me alone Ken.  I just pine for attention sometimes can't help it.  I'm aspen you nicely now.   Sorry JW I like puns alot too.  Don't mean to hijack.

[JW_Halverson]

Josh, you're oak-ay with me.  Heck, I'd go so far as to say you might be my alder- ego.  (by the way, I appreciate how you have really taken the elm with the BOM thing)

Thwacky, HatchA, Okie...just what I wanted to hear.  Let the chips fall where they may.

[Josh]

LOL thanks JW.  Glad to hear you are branching out and trying a new wood.