Does anyone know what this is?

[Mark Anderson]

I have this shrub in my front yard (just moved in three months ago) and when I got to looking at it closely I found many straight shoot in the middle. I cut some to let them dry, always looking for shaft material. I would just like to know if there is anyone of you guys that knows what this is and if I'm wasting my time in them or not.
THanks
Mark

[attachment deleted by admin]

[jthompson1995]

Looks like Privet.

[Pat B]

I'd say privet(Legustrum) also. It makes excellent shafts that are tough and heavy.  You do not want to peel the bark until it is dry. Privet will check badly if stripped too soon.
  Jackcrafty did a build along in the "How To" section making Plains Indian style arrows. Look it up!  Lots of good info.

[Mark Anderson]

Thanks, I'll look that up. I did notice they seemed heavy, but My fingers were half frozen when I cut them so I couldn't say for sure. I'll look up that post you talked about!
Mark

[Hillbilly]

Yep, Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet. Makes good shafts like Pat said.

[aznboi3644]

looks like viburnum to me

[aero86]

good on you on that one.  looks like what ive been going through here.  must be the same thing.  i cut some sunday after christmas, removed the bark this weekend, and some cracked.  thought it was dry enough!

[aznboi3644]

try letting it dry wit the bark on

[Pat B]

You should let it dry for a month before removing the bark. I like to bundle the shoots together with rubber bands or spiral wrap with cord. You can hand straighten them every few days as they dry, rewrap and set aside.  A method some use is to remove all the bark except for the last 2" at each end of the shoot. Try a few like this and see if it works. If it does, the drying process will be quicker.