holm oak?

[stuckinthemud]

Quercus Ilex, holm oak, nothing in the wood data base on it; anyone tried it?

[Pat B]

I've never tried it but I'd say that most of the oaks will make bows.

[turmoiler]

Hi,
that tree grows naturally where I live and I would say it's the densest and hardest wood around here. It has been used for the most hard works for many time, it's sg is > 0,9 and sometimes it sinks on water so I bet it can make a good bow. I have been looking for staves but all trees I find are gnarly and twisty. If you can find a tree quite straight try it and be prepared isvery hard to work,
greetings
Sergi

[ohma2]

You can use shorter wood a splice it .

[Hawkdancer]

Thought Iknew most of. The oaks, never heard of it before, by either name!  Turmoiler, where are you?
Hawkdancer

[turmoiler]

Hi Hawkdancer, sorry for the late answering. I live in spain near the mediterranean sea. I thought that tree only grow around here because of the climate but it seems that in has been introduced in grand britain for gardening porposes. You can see the distribution range in wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_ilex#/media/File:Quercus_ilex_range.svg
Did you find a suitable piece? It will be great to see how this wood works.

[Hawkdancer]

I will check it out!  Still trying to get my bow bench finished so I can start on my roughed out hickory stave.  May have to look in the exotic wood store.
Hawkdancer