Lemonwood for a bow?

[snag]

I understand lemonwood is a great wood for making bows. If I found a source for it in 2X4 form can it be used to make a selfbow?
Or because it is milled does it make it worthless for a selfbow? I guess it depends on how the grain runs in the board...?

[JackCrafty]

Lemonwood lumber should be fine as long as it doesn't have cracks.  The grain is very important also, like you said.

[Hrothgar]

Lemonwood is supposed to be excellent-- if you have found a source, go for it. From what I understand of the wood, there is little or insignicant growth rings since it is a tropical wood and not subject to a yearly dormant stage. Therefore ring violation isn't a big issue. Unless your board was really screwed up when cut, you should be able to find a good bow or two in it.
Good luck.

[snag]

Didn't think about a growth ring not being an issue being it is growing year around!

[bcbull]

BE READY TO SHELL OUT A ARM AND A LEG TO GET IT    IF IT S REASONABLE GO  FOR IT  WHAT IV SEEN THE PRICE IS REDECLOUIS  BROCK

[George Tsoukalas]

It's a good wood and was used a lot in the past. I made one from lemonwood. I don't think I bothered with grain as I couldn't see any. Jawge

[Eric Krewson]

Lemonwood was used for bows extensively in the 30s and 40s because it was cheap and easily worked, just the ticket for a company cranking out thousands of bows a year. Since the trade embargo with Cuba the stuff is available only for South American companies with the tacked on global shipping cost making it not worth the money for what you get.

You can buy some mighty fine osage for the same money and have the best bow wood on the planet instead of a second string bow wood like lemonwood.   

[snag]

Eric, where would you buy osage?

[DarkSoul]

There's two wood species called "lemonwood".

One is also called satinwood; it's from Sri Lanka and India. It's dull yellow with a medium texture and fairly heavy. Often has a nice, light figure to it. It's not very good for bows.
The other is the 'classic' lemonwood, also called degame; it's from Cuba and the Carribean area. It's very heavy, close grained and with fine texture. It's excellent in (backed) bows. It has been used extensively up to a few decades ago, when it became scarce and expensive.

Both wood species are expensive. Make sure to get the right 'lemonwood'.

[dragonman]

Dagame lemonwood is so tight grained and uniform you'll have a hard time finding the grain, its almost impossible to see how it was cut out of the tree, its a lovely wood to work with though.... I never saw a self bow out of it only lots of backed elbs...

[Pat B]

I have a real nice(old) piece of lemonwood James Parker gave me. Been contemplating what make do with it. 
   I have a few old lemonwood bows that are selfbows.