buckthorn???

[4dog]

No,, im just gonna call it buckthorn cause the grain looks fibrous like buckthorn ,,it just doesnt have the same "color"scheme from a stave bow,,im pretty sure it is buckthorn,,just a sapling 6" at its widest,so the two tone look isnt there,,thats whats throwing me.

[4dog]

Will take pics in a bit..thanks for now!

[nlb34]

Common buckthorn as I understand will be the first in the spring to have leaves and typically is the last tree to still have leaves in the fall, this is one of the reasons that buckthorn is on the invasive and noxious weeds list.  As for the wood it has a yellowish sapwood and a rich orange heartwood.  It looks like you are showing the belly side of the bow in the handle picture, if it was buckthorn I would expect it to be orange.

Below is a picture of my most recent buckthorn bow which I identified and cut down last fall. Note this bow came from a tree with approx a 3-4" diameter.  If I am mistaken please help correct me.  Thanks,

[4dog]

Well heck!!! Doesnt quite look like that!!! Lol  still gonna be a bow for good or ill...lol

[SLIMBOB]

Our Buckthorn here in south Texas is in the Rhamnaceae family, but is different from the European Buckthorn.  It is as described above Condalia Hookeri.  It's a small little scrub for the most part.

[Onebowonder]

@SlimBob - Do you know if the stuff makes a bow or not?  Is the wood comprable to the European Buckthorn weed they have further north?

OneBow

[4dog]

Drying roughed out stave now,, berry pic

[4dog]

I know bad berry pic...leaf pic

[4dog]

Can yall work with that..or do i need bark now too ..lol....sheeesh! 

[Onebowonder]

Sure does look like Bluewood!  ...which means, not true Buckthorn.

Sure hope it makes a great bow for you though!

OneBow

[4dog]

Well everything ive read says in my area people call em the same thing..this is why my behind is sooo utterly confused...lol...also why im assssssskin.

[SLIMBOB]

Onebowonder, don't know the answer to that.  Its all to small and twisted, at least that I've seen.  Grows in the really arid dry soils with little other vegetation around outside of cactus, creosote, cenizo etc..  Interesting question, but its not European Buckthorn Rhamnus Cathartica.

[4dog]

Alright after more research it IS a TYPE of buckthorn and actually is in the same family,, so for the rest of the build  will be dealt with as if it is buckthorn...the wood is actually a very nice white with cool lookin grain,, looks like the yellow stuff yall are used to seeing except its white.

[4dog]

Forgot i asked this question a little while ago..lol ..sucks to age..Slimbob answered it ..Condalia Hookeri..a TYPE of buckthorn ..thanks to all!! ..im a goober.

[mikekeswick]

It's definately NOT European Buckthorn, also known as Blackthorn and simply Sloe tree here. I've made a few bows from it and you haven't got a piece there!