Turkish Hazel - Corylus colurna

[stuckinthemud]

Hi All,

I've been offered a 7' long trunk of Turkish Hazel; I love working with Common Hazel, is Turkish Hazel likely to be similar as far as making bows is concerned?

[Pat B]

The only way to find out is to try it. The same species from different areas can be similar but also quite different.

[stuckinthemud]

Guess so.  Just wondered if anyone could comment, since within certain species, for example,  prunus, or maple, some sub-species are great bow-wood and others are not and I do not know whether the same applies within corylus?

[Pat B]

I have no experience with Corylus at all. If the diameter is big enough split it in half and experiment with one half. If not big enough leave the handle area round and saw the belly side off. You can use these cut off pieces to experiment with by making miniature bows or at least do a bend test with them.