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Author Topic: Good shrubs for arrows?  (Read 4358 times)

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Offline The Gopher

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Good shrubs for arrows?
« on: May 04, 2010, 01:08:02 pm »
I'd like to plant some shrubs around my fence to spruce the yard up a bit. i figure i might as well plant some useful shrubs that can be used for arrows, might as well grow my own!

I was thinking Red Osier and some type of viburnum. What type of viburnum is the best for arrows? any other suggestions?

I live in MN, zone 4, thanks, Dan.   
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45# at 27"

Offline jthompson1995

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2010, 01:15:31 pm »
Arrowwood Viburnum comes to mind quickly, Viburnum dentatum. It's not the most showy viburnum but does get attractive flowers, blue berries and got its name since it has been used by native americans for arrow shafts. It is hardy to Zone 2 so you should be fine. It can get to a lrge size but if you keep it well trimmed for arrow shafts you should be able to keep it in control.
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A man who works with his hands is a laborer, a man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman, but a man who works with his hands, his mind and his heart is an artist. - Louis Nizer (1902-1994)

Offline aero86

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2010, 01:27:07 pm »
yes, that stuff works well.  or privet is what i used to use before i switched to bamboo/cane
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profsaffel  "clogs like the devil" I always figured Lucifer to be more of a disco kind of guy.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2010, 07:39:32 pm »
Privet can be very invasive. The birds like the berries and distribute the seeds. I have a privet with irrigated, white and green leaves that doesn't produce berries. It will get 12' to 15' tall and across.
  Many of the viburnums grow shoots and I'd bet most would be good for arrows...as well as flowers and berries for the landscape.
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline aznboi3644

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2010, 12:50:33 am »
A lot of our landscaping customers have a lot of big viburnum bushes.

I've been collecting shoots for a couple weeks...they make VERY strong arrow shafts...it is a very hard wood when dry.  But when freshly cut they may seem like limp noodles.

What I have noticed though is the varying density depending on location in town.  The first arrow I made was very dense and narrow for its spine...but some other shoots I've collected are 5/16 to 3/8 with a large spine difference between same diameter shoots.  Maybe some heat treating will stiffen things up a bit.

But so far I will be using viburnum shafts for all my shoot arrows...virtually unbreakable...I've shot some straight into a concrete wall to test the durablity and the tip just crushes a little bit...no splitting or breaking so far.
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Offline AncientArcher76

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2010, 01:38:24 am »
I have viburnum bushes all over my property but dont utilize them much... I used to work in a greenhouse and I ordered chinese arrow bamboo...it was awesome its an evassive plant which means u plant one and a million keep sprouting.  It will grow in -30 degree to over 100 in the sun...  check it out its also very ornamental.

Russ
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Offline aero86

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2010, 10:42:50 am »
where did you order that bamboo from?
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profsaffel  "clogs like the devil" I always figured Lucifer to be more of a disco kind of guy.

Offline The Gopher

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2010, 03:37:39 pm »
we should be careful about planting invasive species, look what buckthorn has done.
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Offline jonathan creason

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2010, 08:08:14 pm »
My wife bought a shrub a while back that has thorns and is full of red berries (supposedly the berries were used in our wedding) in the winter.  Anybody know what it might be, and if it would be useful for arrows?  Just wondering, because I hate to trim that thing, but if I can get some arrows out of it I might be able to force myself to do it.
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Cleveland, NC

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Offline DanaM

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2010, 09:08:12 pm »
Could be Japenese barberry nasty shrup that is becoming invasive here in the UP of Michigan >:(
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Offline jthompson1995

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2010, 09:48:42 pm »
If it's barberry, the wood will be bright yellow like osage when you cut it. It's invasive in lots of areas.
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A man who works with his hands is a laborer, a man who works with his hands and his mind is a craftsman, but a man who works with his hands, his mind and his heart is an artist. - Louis Nizer (1902-1994)

Offline jonathan creason

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2010, 10:23:24 pm »
I don't think the wood was yellow, but I'd have to go cut some more to be sure.  It doesn't seem to be spreading from root sprouts or anything, and I haven't noticed any popping up from the berries around.  It's tougher than a pine knot, though.  I sprayed the crap out of it with glyphosate 2 weeks ago, and it's still green as a gourd.
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Cleveland, NC

"The only thing cooler than bands that gets lots of chicks are bands that scare chicks." - Beavis

Offline Pat B

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2010, 12:23:31 am »
A pic is worth a thousand words.  ;)
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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline AncientArcher76

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2010, 12:54:09 am »
Well if you keep it under control it take years for it to get out of hand.  If u were to plant it in a flower box a bucket or a contained area u would be fine for invasive species.  Now if u dug a hole and planted it and went to prison for 20 years I would say "Houston we have a problem"... ::)  I dont remember the exact site but it was like Bamboo.com or something it was from a specialist in South Carolina...have a good day!

Russ
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Time, dedication, cuts, tons of broken rock, a wife, and perhaps a few girlfriends are some of what it takes in becoming a skilled flint knapper!!!
 
"Ancient Art"  by R. Hill

Offline jonathan creason

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Re: Good shrubs for arrows?
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2010, 09:30:06 am »
I'll try to get a pic later.  I guess I could ask my wife if she remembers, too  :D.
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Cleveland, NC

"The only thing cooler than bands that gets lots of chicks are bands that scare chicks." - Beavis
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