Wondering should I cut Locust into staves?

[VenomBOWslinger]

Hey guys was just wondering by my sisters house there was a huge patch of black locust...it looks black from what I remembered but it may very well be green... anyway they are in the process of clearing it all and her husband asked if I wanted it for bow wood!  I said sure but I am going to have at least 100 staves OH man what to do?  I never have used it before but I know it is used so maybe I shouldnt let this opportunity pass up.  U guys have any ideas?  Sorry no pics I will get em to ya soon!

Cheers,
Venom

[Pappy]

Free wood,cut it.
   Pappy

[Dean Marlow]

Yes cut it. That close you can't pass that up. Dean

[George Tsoukalas]

BL is a very good wood. Cut what you can. If you cut about an 8 in diameter tree you'll be able to get an all heartwood bow. But saplings will work provided you can remove enough sapwood to get close to the heartwood. Get the size you can get. My first shooter was a BL sapling. I took off the bark and made a bow. But again the heartwood is stringer. Jawge

[crooketarrow]

    Keep what you want to use and use the rest for trade.

[rattlesnake]

i know i would love a nice long black locust stave??..if you can get some ide get it and do some tradeing and bow building?...seal ends asap.......cut staves 72" if ya can ?....have fun...snake

[nugget]

Black Locust makes an awesome bow. I love it. Strong and durable. I have made several bows out of locust. Cut and split as much as you can; you will have bow wood for a long time. Black Locust needs a ring chased just like osage.

[VenomBOWslinger]

Ok will do looks like I might be a trading here shortly!   I will have close to an acre of BL to cut so if that helps anyone!  If you live near NY you will be more than welcome to come pic out ur own!  Thanks guys!


Russ

[jamie]

russ be careful its not loaded with ants. dont want to bring those suckers into the garage. i had carpenter ants infest my garage from black locust. there wont be any sign untill you quarter it. then they come flying out. peace

[Hillbilly]

If you have that much, be selective and don't cut everything just because it's there. We have a lot of locust here, but it's a pretty small percentage of it that is straight, clean, and non-twisted enough to make good bow staves. A lot of locust is knotty and has really twisted grain.

[barebo]

Where in NY are you located I'm in Oneida - near Syracuse.

[servicebeary]

make yourself a nice long fire pit and heat treat the bellies 10 at a time   That should help with the fractured bellies, I think