Stave wood from my property

[TheArborist]

I like the chainsaw splitting idea.  As a tree worker, a chainsaw is a pretty second nature tool for me, so I could see that saving some time on difficult species.  I used to carve little thrones with my chainsaw out of stumps for people when I did removals.  They thought it was novel, and it saved me having to grind the stump.

[Aaron H]

I like the chainsaw splitting idea.  As a tree worker, a chainsaw is a pretty second nature tool for me, so I could see that saving some time on difficult species.  I used to carve little thrones with my chainsaw out of stumps for people when I did removals.  They thought it was novel, and it saved me having to grind the stump.

we simple minded folks love pictures!

[TheArborist]

Here you go:

This was actually a big hackberry removal.  That would have been a lot of bow staves.

[Aaron H]

I can't find the cup holder 

[J05H]

The two obvious choices have already been mentioned, but I'd like to point out one that may have been overlooked. Post oak is part of the white oak genus which is generally well regarded as bow wood.

[Swampman]

I like the fly box.  Very nice work.

[PEARL DRUMS]

That fly box is slick.

[mwosborn]

Another vote for hackberry.  Nice easy wood to work.  Those boxes are too cool.

[Danzn Bar]

For what it's worth.... I just got through finishing my first Hackberry bow and loved working with the wood and it made a pretty good bow.
DBar

[txdm]

Fellow central Texan here, and I'm planning to split this post oak log real soon. The ground gave out on it's roots last year, and I cut it and let it set for a while. I was intending to use it for a post, but it looks straight enough to try for some staves.







You can tell my chain was just about well-done on the day I cut it down. 
I imagine it will be darn near impossible to just split with a hammer/wedge.

TheArborist, don't forget about Mulberry! It's pretty common in the post-oak savannahs and thickets around the lost pines areas.

[Pat B]

I wouldn't use that log for bow staves. It will make good firewood.   

[txdm]

I wouldn't use that log for bow staves. It will make good firewood.   

Serious? I wouldn't know... but I don't want to wast time on it if its not good.

BTW, I have loads of post oak logs for bbq-ing already. Also have a huge cedar elm that was struck by lightning... its still standing. The branches that have fallen from it are like stone!

[Springbuck]

That elm and hackberry seem like the place to start.  One of my favorite staves to find is a clear, straight split, 68" long or more, from a 5" dia. hard "white" elm sapling.

 Honey locust will make a bow, but has lots of issues and is mediocre to decent at best.  Heartwood sure is pretty, though.

If you cut a branch or sapling you can take a bow from the upside, or the downside, in my experience.  Most people I've heard say, say they prefer the upside, as it often dries into nice reflex and has favorable growth ring thickness. 

 If you try taking a stave from the side of a leaning tree instead of top and bottom, you will have nightmares.

[txdm]

Thanks for all the advice Springbuck.

We planted about 30 honey locusts last year because they make good garden trees (light shade and good rhizomes)

The more I read, the more I realize I'm blessed to have some acreage here. Lots of good bow woods grow natively or will grow here with ease. I'm not sure how Osage Orange would do in my sandy soil, but that would be awesome.

[osage outlaw]

txdm, that oak log is no good for bow making.  White woods need to be split and kept dry as quick as you can after they are cut.  Fungus and rot set in very fast.  I'm afraid you would be wasting your time if you split that into staves.