Water tupelo?

[joachimM]

I got some slats of water tupelo from a carpenter. Thought of using them with a backing.
Anyone ever used this wood?

[PatM]

http://www.wood-database.com/water-tupelo/

[Pat B]

I've never used it but it should work fine with it's interlocking grain. Just be glad you don't have to split it. 

[Morgan]

Never heard of that tree? Where is it native?

[PatM]

Never heard of that tree? Where is it native?

Southeast US

[Eric Krewson]

I found the wood to be very soft in the butt, very hard in the trunk. I carved a lot of duck decoys out of it and used the butt section. It carved easily and held the finest detail perfectly.

I haven't used it in a bow application so i don't know if it will work.

[Stoner]

I'm right with Eric. Used it for decorative decoy's and took some great detail in feathers and under cutting. Seems like might be soft for bows, dunno? John

[Pat B]

Water tupelo is also known as black gun

[PatM]

Water tupelo is also known as black gun

 It shouldn't be since Black Gum is a different tree.

[Eric Krewson]

I believe Pat M is right on this one, water Tupelo and Tupelo gum are one in the same, black gum is a different species.

Like any packrat I had a lifetime supply for Tupelo gum carving blocks squirreled away. I decided I had carved my last a year ago after being out of it since 86, I sold my stash cheap just to get someone to haul it off and get it out of my way.

Tupelo gum in the swamp;

[PatM]

This type of tree obviously split into species adapted to all three environments.  Actual water, swamp and dry land.

PatB may be referring to the swamp variety which is known as  swamp black gum.

[Pat B]

I was referring to Nyssa sylvatica.

[PatM]

I was referring to Nyssa sylvatica.

 Hence the confusion.

[Pat B]

Are the wood characteristics not similar?

[joachimM]

You never know what it's gonna give till you make a bow out of it :-)
Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and water tupelo seem indeed very similar as per wood properties.

I'll see what destination I can give it