Lilac and snowball trees

[wood]

I've always called them snowballl trees as the flower heads in spring look like snowballs or popcorn balls. They bloom right after the lilacs. I was trying to find out the real name of the tree and the best I could do is that it is a steril version of viburnum. When I found that out you can guess the things get "pruned" regular now. They make great arrows. The lilac growing next to it does just as well. Seemed to be a bit stiffer spined than the snowball of the same diameter also less pith.

[sailordad]

i find lilac lacking
it needs to be fat to get a proper spine
i can get osier shafts that are much much thinner than lilac and still get my 45-55 lb spine a want
if i doo that with my lilac,the shaft is almost a half inch thick if not more
way to thick for me for arrows
i'll stick with osier until i can find a cane source

[wood]

I cut the lilac dead standing they are much stiffer. There are always branches that die off next to the house when they get crowded out. The green I use for the kids. I use 45-50.

[Pat B]

It can be dangerous using standing dead wood for bows or arrows. You are better off cutting them green and curing them properly.

[jamie]

are the snowballs fragrant. if so its probably korean spice or carlessi , both viburnum. excellent shaft material. if the shafts are hollow , its a spirea.

[Pat B]

...or Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora.