Arrowwood Vibernum

[nclonghunter]

Can this plant be bought at a hardware store or plant nursery and then used for arrows? What would be the growing time until it could be harvested?
I'm told it grows wild along the NC coast, but I'm a distance from there so starting my own plants may be an option.

[nugget]

I bought 2 plants from a nursery here in Wilkes last year. I should be able to harvest next year.

[nclonghunter]

Thanks Nugget, I shall be on the search for viburnum to plant in the back yard.

[nclonghunter]

Another interesting piece of info on viburnum is that Otzi the Iceman had shafts of viburnum in his quiver...That's about as primitive as I know of..

[Pat B]

Arrowwood and blackhaw viburnums both grow naturally throughout NC. They both grow up here in the mountains. I have blackhaw growing on my property(naturally) but a few miles up the road arrowwood grows.  
  For any shoot growth that will be used for arrows you want at least second year growth so only cut shoots with small branches on it. Ones with only leaves(leaf scars now after leaf drop) are first year growth and too flimsey for decent arrows.
  You might find red osier dogwood or other shrub type dogwoods at nurseries too for making good arrows. Look for nurseries that advertise native materials.