Ash tree scrutiny? (Pics.)

[silent sniper]

Hello fellow Bowyers. I am new to this wonderful art of bow building and I could use some advice. My father in law is cutting down several trees and he said I could have any of them if I wanted. I believe they are Ash trees but I am not 100% sure. Is ash a good bow wood for a starting bowyer?  If it is worth the trouble; then I would like your advice on which tree(s) to take.

He is cutting the tree directly in front of the cabin along with the 2 on the left side of it that are flagged. My first impression is I like the one farthest to the left, it looks like it has a couple sections of nice straight trunk. The tree on the right is bigger, but has a slight dog leg in it and is not as straight.   The first 8 feet on the tree in front of the cabin looks quite straight as well.... 

Anyhow, I just wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks, SS.



tree directly in front of cabin


Trees on the left side

[Hrothgar]

Welcome, ash can make a good bow and has been used by bowyers on either side of the Atlantic for years. Any of the three trees should be doable. Besides looking for a straight trunk, also look for a straight grain-a trunk without any twists. Try to avoid any knots as well. With these large trunk trees you should be able to get some staves that are clean, a seven foot log will allow plenty of length to work with. Have fun.

[PatM]

You'll have to go deeper into the log to get a good back ring and hope the wood hasn't started degrading. Those trees will be riddled with emerald Ash borers.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Its dead and appears to have been dead for a good while.

[Dances with squirrels]

I'm with Pearly, all the ash trees around here are standing dead, ruined by the emerald ash borer. It looks like yours is too. You could cut it and do a bend test on a small piece, but I'd be surprised if it was worth the effort.

[PatM]

They are probably still clinging to life since it looks like a few leaves are still sprouting. It takes a long time before the tree gets completely starved.

   The trees that get taken down here at that stage still appear to have normal wood although I haven't bothered to bend any of it.

[George Tsoukalas]

Dead trees make dead bows and good firewood. Jawge

[silent sniper]

 It is hard to see in the picture but they certainty have leaves. With that said, I did notice the outside of the wood may be kind of "chalky".  If they are not worth the effort then they will be firewood. I just want to make sure I am not missing what could be a few good staves. Thanks, SS

[osage outlaw]

I wouldn't mess with it.  If the ash trees are like the ones around here the borers attacked the big trees first.  Try to look for some smaller trees without signs of borer damage. 

[JoJoDapyro]

My opinion (worth the paper this is printed on) would be if you are cutting the tree down anyway, whats the harm? The worst case is that you lose some sweat, and learn for the next time.

[paulsemp]

My opinion (worth the paper this is printed on) would be if you are cutting the tree down anyway, whats the harm? The worst case is that you lose some sweat, and learn for the next time.

Why waste time?  If he looking to learn id buy a board. Bad habits are learned on wood like that

[vinemaplebows]

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Its dead and appears to have been dead for a good while.

Yep!

[PEARL DRUMS]

If you have ash around there, you probably have some elms to. Id hunt one of those down if your in the bow wood market. What you have there is some incredibly good firewood. Its burns hot and long.

[George Tsoukalas]

If you are going to spend 30-50 hours on a bow, why not set yourself up for success rather than failure?
Jawge

[bjrogg]

It looks to me that the bore has eaten the cambium and probably also will have bore holes in the 1st several growth rings. My 1 st attempt at a bow was from very simular tree. I think you'd gain only experience which can be valuable in itself, but I'm afraid chances of finding a survivor bow with that much bore are slim. However if you feel the urge to, go for it, it's only wood and probably only firewood which you can still use it for after it breaks. I knew my 1st attempt would not survive but I gained a lot of experience. Glad to have you here hope you find some good wood and post some bows. Once you shoot that 1st arrow from your bow your hooked no going back. I agree with Pearl now is a good time to harvest Elm, HHB ( ironwood) and get some curing.