Author Topic: Hornbeam?  (Read 261 times)

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Offline Muskyman

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Hornbeam?
« on: April 01, 2025, 04:35:30 pm »
We had a major storm come through the other night and blew trees down all over the place and while cutting up a big one in my woods I noticed this tree about 4-5 inches in diameter that was pushed over by a huge tree and kinda uprooted. I’m thinking it might be hornbeam. Any thoughts

Offline Pappy

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2025, 06:25:00 pm »
Looks like Blue beach to me, not HHB, some call it muscle wood or American horn beam. Pappy
Clarksville,Tennessee
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Offline Muskyman

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2025, 06:52:41 pm »
Okay, I think I’ve seen it mentioned on here before. Does it make a good bow?
Whatever it is, it’s really heavy wood. Also has a very thin bark on it.
I put a couple more pics on here for what it’s worth.. piece is 9 ft long.

Offline Pat B

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2025, 07:04:47 pm »
I've never used it but I've heard it is marginal at best as a bow wood.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Muskyman

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2025, 09:25:56 pm »
Either way, I kept it and sealed the ends.. I might try and make a bow out of it someday. I’ve still got some  staves I can play with so I’m not really hurting for wood right now. I might try and get some more Osage this fall and maybe some more hickory this summer while the bark will peel off. Just thought it might be hornbeam and figured I ask those in the know.
I guess just take the bark off and that would be the back of the bow, like hickory.

Offline Pappy

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #5 on: Today at 09:41:21 am »
I have tried it a few time, and yes it will make a bow, pretty brittle, just go a little wider and longer, and yes just take the bark off and seal the back or it can check pretty bad. Hard to find a piece straight enough around here, lots of twist and humps, probably not the greatest bow wood but better than no bow wood.  ;) :)
 Pappy
Clarksville,Tennessee
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Offline ajooter

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #6 on: Today at 09:54:48 am »
Looks like Blue beach to me, not HHB, some call it muscle wood or American horn beam. Pappy

Agreed

Offline bassman211

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Re: Hornbeam?
« Reply #7 on: Today at 10:57:43 am »
Best to de crown the back , and back it . It makes a very good bow. I use sinew, but raw hide would probably work also. I have made a couple dozen bows from it from 50 inches to 64 inches long. It is blue beech.