what wood is this? (pics of bark, leaves, and rings)

[Josh]

I was out in the woods today with my bow saw and hatchet looking for some new bow wood when I ran across this tree.  I have it narrowed down to either Elm or Hop Hornbeam can't tell the difference from my tree book.  Please help me!!!!

[Hillbilly]

That's elm, definitely.

[JustAim]

Thats a Winged Elm tree or also called Cork Elm.

[Josh]

Thanks for helping identify what kinda wood it is, now will it make a bow?  What style/demensions would you use to make an efficient, long lasting bow outta this piece of wood?  Is it worth working?   Do I chase a ring or just debark? 

[Hillbilly]

It is excellent bow wood, one of the better whitewoods IMO. No ring chasing, just peel the bark. Elm is versatile, it will make almost any design of bow from a simple Woodlands D-bow to a reflexed static recurve. A long D-bow about 66"-68" long and 1 1/4" wide at the handle is a good basic design, as is a stiff-handled flatbow about the same length, 1 5/8"-1 3/4" wide fades to midlimb tapering to 1/2" nocks.

[Josh]

thanks Hillbilly!  You always seem to know the answer to my questions.   peace.  And thanks to you too JustAim. <<<good advice in your screen name as well lol.