Got some Myrtle, ERC, and some kind of maple? Need one ID

[tgtmatt]

I went out today and cut these 3 trees/staves down and I'm not sure exactly what type one of them is. I think it's some kind of maple, but I could be wrong.

What do you guys think I should do with the Crepe Myrtle and the ERC?

[tgtmatt]

Here's the one I need identified. It's the one that is all the way to the right in the picture of all 3.

[Hamish]

The one with the rough bark and all the rays on the end grain is an oak, though I couldn't tell you what type.

[BOWMAN53]

I googled it and it looks like black oak.

[tgtmatt]

Same here. I looked through all the oaks in this book I have and it looked closest to black oak. Wonder if it's any good. Thanks!

[BOWMAN53]

Let me know how good it is,  i think i saw some trees that have the same bark at the park.

[okie64]

The crepe myrtle should be interesting, Ive seen some bows made from it. Erc looks too knotty to make a bow and the other wood looks like blackjack oak to me, we have lots of them around here and I burn a lot of it for firewood, no reason why it shouldnt make a decent bow though.

[Slackbunny]

Definitely not a maple. Maple barks tend to go scaly or turn to plates, not pronounced ridges like that. Did a quick search and what others are saying about oak looks to be good.

[tgtmatt]

Should I split the Myrtle in half? At the thickest point it is about 7 inch diameter.

[PrimitiveTim]

I split a piece of crepe myrtle that I have and it split real easy and all the way down pretty evenly.  I'd start at the smaller end though.  I'd say go for it if you think you can get two bows out if it.  I got a mini bow out of one side and haven't touched the larger side yet.  Let us know if you find an easy way to get that bark off.

[DLH]

Could it be chestnut oak? If so its sold as a white oak and black oak is sold as red oak I believe not sure if that carries over to bows though.

[tgtmatt]

I'm not really sure. I think it's a black oak. I cut another one today and it was so hard to cut.