How about black cherry?

[nsherve]

That red oak tree I've talked about is hung up on a cherry tree, which I'll have to cut down to be able to safely get the oak. Anybody ever use cherry from a log for arrowshafts? If so, how'd it go?

[Ryan Jacob]

I’ve heard of cherry shoots being used. Although, cherry is kind of a light and brittle wood.

[nsherve]

It's definitely not a shoot...

[Hawkdancer]

Might make some bow staves if is straight enough.  The cherries make good ice cream !   
Hawkdancer

[Pat B]

I tried black cherry shoots for arrows but they wouldn't stay straight. I've not tried cherry dowel shafting. It should work good if well seasoned.

[sleek]

Id not ever make a self bow of black cherrie. Its worse than cedar.

[Pat B]

Use the wood under the bark for selfbows.

[nsherve]

.....is there wood on top of the bark...?

[sleek]

.....is there wood on top of the bark...?

Yes, its called the tree next to it. And no mater what that tree is, if its not black cherry, use the wood on top of the black cherry bark.

[Pat B]

...and not the wood under that sapwood. 

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I’ve been trying to make ELBs from black cherry, but they keep breaking if I don’t excessively overbuild them. I do like cherry for arrows. It’s far tougher than It should be. I made about 10 of them a couple years ago. I turned them 3/8” then tapered them to 5/16” nocks starting about 5” from the tip. They came out about 450gr without a tip and spines our well for my 50# bows. I would definitely use it again.

Kyle

[bassman]

Some of our natives made arrows from wild choke cherry. It is all around  me here in western Pa.I have made arrows from it. They turned out ok, but had to keep checking them for straightness.

[JEB]

I have turned a few wild cherry arrows. They were OK. The wood works better for 4 point footing an arrow for me. Looks nice to. I have about a 20 inch cherry that needs to come down as soon as I can find a saw mill to board it up for me.