Japanese ligustrum...or Japanese Privet

[redboard]

I'll get a pic tonight...it'll still be just a tree though. I had a 104 degree fever most of the weekend.

[redboard]

Here are the two best chunks of ligustrum off of my axe-therapy session

[redboard]

So, I've roughed out the smaller one. It has kind of a natural reflex that I'll use for the back.
I may have made a mistake in debarking it, but I've got plenty more if it checks too badly. Its measuring about 75" and will  certainly be a "character" bow. I'll leave the limbs as wide as I can and focus on tillering the belly.
This stuff is super springy and tough to break when its semi-dry. I'm hoping it'll be just as tough when it's all the way dry!

[dragonman]

I got a privite stave i cut 6 months ago so i'll wait and see how yours goes before i try...,they make fighting staffs and spears out of it in china because it is supposed to be very tough flexible and whippy , so should make a good bow

[bubby]

privet does make a good bow and dries pretty fast so watch for checks