Author Topic: Bowyers tree ID  (Read 3081 times)

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Offline osage outlaw

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Bowyers tree ID
« on: March 12, 2011, 03:49:39 pm »
With the frequent tree ID questions, I thought it might be a good idea to have a post with pictures and info on all of the common species of trees that we use to build bows.  Everyone could keep adding pictures and info and really make this a valuable resource for the beginning bowyer as well as some seasoned guys that might want to look for a new type of wood to use.  It would be great if this could be saved or archived where it could be easily accessed.  I thought pics of a standing tree, bark, and a cut end would be a good start.  Once the leaves sprout, we could update it and add some pictures of them.  It would be nice if someone could start something like this for arrow making materials also.


I will start it out with osage since that is what I am most familiar with.

Standing tree



Second growth on an old stump



Smaller branches with thorns



The end after it is cut.  Remember to seal the ends as soon as you cut it to prevent checking.

I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline Pat B

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2011, 03:53:57 pm »
This has the potential to be a very good and very educational thread. Thanks for starting it, Osage Outlaw.  Pics of tree limb tips with the buds is a very good ID tool also.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2011, 03:54:45 pm »
Hackberry

Standing trees







The end after it has been cut and sealed.



The back after the bark has been peeled off.

I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline SiongSA

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2011, 05:45:42 pm »
when i go to the wood again i'll take some pics of my to most used bow woods, mulberry and white ash

Offline toymaker

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2011, 10:21:26 pm »
Black Cherry



The young trees or branches have smooth gray almost silverish bark. With marks or lines that go around the tree kind of like the black marks on a Birch.



The mature bark is still the same as the branches only much darker and split a curling off the tree.



freshly sealed end for slingshot not bow(that's why it's so short)

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2011, 10:45:47 pm »
Very nice.  Thank you.  Anyone else want to add to the list?
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline okie64

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2011, 11:23:00 pm »
I like this idea. I'll take my camera next time I go to the woods.

Offline Elktracker

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  • Josh
Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2011, 02:13:18 pm »
I like this idea. I'll take my camera next time I go to the woods.

x2
my friends think my shops a mess, my wife thinks I have too much bow wood, my neighbors think im redneck white trash and they may all be right on the money!!

Josh Vance  Netarts OR. (Tillamook)

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2011, 06:23:02 pm »
Maybe everyone could take the camera with them while looking for sheds.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline crooketarrow

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2011, 06:33:27 pm »
  Anyone have a pic of a ocean spray. I know there not in my area but never made a bow of it. But want to any info on wood or bows etc.
DEAD IS DEAD NO MATTER HOW FAST YOUR ARROW GETS THERE
20 YEARS OF DOING 20 YEARS OF LEARNING 20 YEARS OF TEACHING

Offline fishfinder401

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  • noel laflamme noellaf2@cox.net
Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2011, 07:10:10 pm »
great thread, this will be great for people just learning what wood to use like me ;D
thanks
noel
warbows and fishing, what else is there to do?
modern technology only takes you so far, remove electricity and then what

Offline Elktracker

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2011, 08:27:06 pm »
Ocean Spray also known as a species of Iron Wood, Pic of the leaf and flower and a stave showing the bark, ill get more pics up soon of the plant in nature.
Josh
« Last Edit: March 14, 2011, 02:25:17 am by Elktracker »
my friends think my shops a mess, my wife thinks I have too much bow wood, my neighbors think im redneck white trash and they may all be right on the money!!

Josh Vance  Netarts OR. (Tillamook)

Offline Bryce H

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2011, 02:10:42 am »
Great thread!

I just started a bow from Hackberry; my second bow.

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2011, 07:50:44 am »
Does anyone have some pictures of Black Locust or Vine Maple?
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline Elktracker

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Re: Bowyers tree ID
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2011, 01:57:30 pm »
Ill get some posted up here soon if no one else does before my next outing
my friends think my shops a mess, my wife thinks I have too much bow wood, my neighbors think im redneck white trash and they may all be right on the money!!

Josh Vance  Netarts OR. (Tillamook)