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Author Topic: how big does Yew need to be?  (Read 5354 times)

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Offline JoJoDapyro

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how big does Yew need to be?
« on: February 12, 2015, 06:59:28 pm »
I have only ever found 2 Yew "trees" in Utah. One is quite a bit larger than this one, but is on private property and I haven't had a chance to talk to the owners yet. This "tree" is on public property and will be cut down anyway in the next year or so. How large of a piece would I need to make a bow? The largest branches are about as big around as a shovel handle.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
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Offline E. Jensen

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2015, 07:36:16 pm »
I was about to chime in and inform you that that was juniper but lo and behold, its an actual yew growing in Utah!  It looks pretty slim, but you might be able to get two matching pieces and splice them together.  I'd be interested to see what the growth rate is compared to the northwest.
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Offline wizardgoat

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2015, 07:45:27 pm »
For yew I keep anything over an inch. Even an inch wide piece will have some heartwood in it
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Offline Weylin

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2015, 08:46:28 pm »
Eh, put that poor tree out of it's misery. I can almost hear it screaming in agony from all that direct sunlight and dry heat. It's sobbing, "This isn't my home, why did dome cruel, cruel bastard plant me here in this desert!?"  ;D ;)
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2015, 09:46:03 pm »
The location of this is where a front yard used to be. It used to be in the shade all the time. It is 2 plants, what I assume used to be shrubs. There is a 3rd stump that someone already beat me to. The other has about 10 5 inch 12 foot long "trunks". I'm betting that it was a shrub once upon a time too.  I asked the city arborist if he knew of any Yew trees in Utah, he didn't know of any. I had to break it to him that there are 2 growing in the city.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.

Offline E. Jensen

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2015, 11:10:54 pm »
If you have the patience to dig up the root ball there is some amazing wood in there
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Offline wizardgoat

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2015, 11:21:32 pm »
I'd say go for it jojo
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Offline Del the cat

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2015, 02:42:14 am »
It depends on the heart/sap wood ratio. Of course, you don't know that until you cut it! >:D
If it's slow growing you may find 1 1/2" is enough 2" would be better tho'
Del
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Offline DarkSoul

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2015, 05:56:58 am »
Those two pictures show what appears to me as a juniper...

2" diameter is good for yew, but I'm sure even 1½" will work for a light bow.
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blackhawk

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2015, 06:40:04 am »
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2015, 08:48:40 am »
It looks like the garden variety yew, maybe a shrub that got out of control.
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Offline adb

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2015, 10:32:06 am »
I would say that's ornamental yew. Japanese yew.
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Offline Aaron H

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2015, 11:19:21 am »
Is Japanese yew considered bow making wood?
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Offline E. Jensen

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2015, 11:38:19 am »
I think so.  Depends on ring size but I've succeeded in making a 63" 72#@28 bow from it
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Offline JoJoDapyro

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Re: how big does Yew need to be?
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2015, 11:46:54 am »
Quote from: DarkSoul on February 13, 2015, 05:56:58 am
Those two pictures show what appears to me as a juniper...

2" diameter is good for yew, but I'm sure even 1½" will work for a light bow.
I know for a fact its Yew. Juniper is like a weed here in Utah. Miles and miles of it. There is even berries if you look close. If there is one tree I can identify without fail it is juniper.
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If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got.
27 inch draw, right handed. Bow building and Knapping.
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