Red or Green bark on Vine Maple?

[Ed Brooks]

Is there a difference in the wood between a Red and Green barked vine maple for bow wood. The reason I ask is that the old timers will not use the red bark vine for smoking wood(smoke house). This made me wonder is there a difference in the wood for bow making? Thank you Ed

[Bryce]

Red bark on VM? I live in Vinemaple country and have only seen green, grey or brown bark. Anything other than green is caused by the thick moss that growns on it.
Other than that, no. If its Vinemaple then it's Vinemaple, and will easily make a durable and hard hitting bow.

[Ed Brooks]

Red bark on VM? I live in Vinemaple country and have only seen green, grey or brown bark. Anything other than green is caused by the thick moss that growns on it.
Other than that, no. If its Vinemaple then it's Vinemaple, and will easily make a durable and hard hitting bow.

Bryce, I'm just north of you in WA, lots of vine here. there isn't a lot of red,  but it isn't however covered with moss, it is just red colored bark. I'll have to find a stave from it and give it a try. Thanks Ed

[vinemaplebows]

Not all vine maple looks like that, as far as the bark.

[Bryce]

I know Brian it's the only one I got Holmes:) lol
Where at in WA?


Edit* saw your signature. Centralia isn't that far from me at all

[Ed Brooks]

I know Brian it's the only one I got Holmes:) lol
Where at in WA?


Edit* saw your signature. Centralia isn't that far from me at all

Bryce I actually live in a little town called Doty about 30miles West of Centralia.

Not all vine maple looks like that, as far as the bark.

Vinemaplebows, is there any difference in the wood from green to red bark? Or is it just that different bark color?

[Bryce]

Found another pic.

[Zion]

Well everyone knows Mountain Maple's the best anyway... 

[Carson (CMB)]

Seems to me like the reddish orange barked VM I see is always at the edge of clearings in direct sun. So maybe it is different.  Possibly faster growing.

[steelslinger]

I have some red bark vine that I cut this winter.

[steve b.]

What Carson says.  Either way, give it a try.

[vinemaplebows]

From what I seen it seems to be the sun that turns the bark color (redish), moss seems to keep it darker, brown to grey. One thing ....Douglas maple can be mistaken for vine maple. If I remeber right there is a extra lobe on Douglas maple, and it is not quite as springy...although that can vary, place to place.



VMB

[portlandfire]

    Gordon and I were harvesting a new cache of VM two weeks ago, and he emphasized that he prefers the green bark.  Visually, there is a noticeable difference, and I am sure Gordon will chime in and give his opine

Dave

[Gordon]

I harvest vine maple in an area where a smooth green bark variety co-exists with a rough brown bark variety. In this area I don't think the differences have anything to do with moss. I like to remove the bark shortly after cutting (because it is such a bit*h to get off if you let it dry) and I've noticed that the brown variety will often check along the surface of the back whereas the green variety does not. I've also noticed that the brown variety does not seem to respond as well to belly tempering as the green variety.

[Ed Brooks]

thanks for all the input, I think I'll have to go cut both to see if I can see a difference. Good excuse to get more bow wood. Thanks again. Ed