Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BowJunkie on April 25, 2011, 11:22:06 pm

Title: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: BowJunkie on April 25, 2011, 11:22:06 pm
Got these for the use of my chainsaw and a little bit of labor.
Neighbor's tree blew over last night.  ;D
You got to love spring time storm damage.
What kind is it? and will it make decent bows?
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on April 25, 2011, 11:24:06 pm
I would say that is china berry it is in the mahogony family.
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: BowJunkie on April 25, 2011, 11:25:11 pm
Here is a pic of the growth rings
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: BowJunkie on April 25, 2011, 11:26:24 pm
Sorry about the double post on the growth rings guys
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on April 25, 2011, 11:28:15 pm
Yes it can graw very fast...Some say the wood is no good for a bow.  I made bows out of it when I was a little fellow.  But that was a long time ago and the bows were much to be desired although they did shoot an arrow.
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: ken75 on April 26, 2011, 12:36:14 am
bowjunkie , i cut one to try and couldnt get it to split right . the split runs out to nothing on the other end . you might try cutting some saw kerfs on opposite sides before splitting to keep it true. as far as the wood being bow worthy i never got to try it ,lookin forward to hearing how it does.
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2011, 02:12:31 am
Someone a few years ago posted a chinaberry bow here on PA.  I always thought it grew too straight be be good bow wood!  :D
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: Del the cat on April 26, 2011, 04:48:31 am
... I always thought it grew too straight be be good bow wood!  :D
oh, that's a good 'un. You made me splurt my tea over the keyboard.... ;D
Del
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: Rick Wallace on April 26, 2011, 05:22:31 am
China berry is correct. I have a few around here,,the berrys are good to shoot out the slingshot! dont know about bow wood,,, ;D
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: crooketarrow on April 26, 2011, 07:18:00 am
   Try spliting if it splits like KEN says use a saw.
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: hillbilly61 on April 26, 2011, 08:52:57 am
You could always rip a few pieces and make a backed board bow ;) Don't look like you could get much for quartersawn from it :-\
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: tombo on April 26, 2011, 04:49:18 pm
I sure would like to see if it makes a good bow 'cause it doesn't make a good yard tree!  Tom
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: BowJunkie on April 26, 2011, 07:27:03 pm
Well after some research on Chinaberry,, I have found it is Highly toxic.  :o Most research says that one should use gloves and a respirator when cutting or sanding this wood.
So with that said... hmmmm what to do
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: hillbilly61 on April 27, 2011, 09:16:24 am
Get a friend you don't like very much to cut it for ya :o  Or not ;D
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: osage outlaw on April 27, 2011, 02:07:03 pm
I don't know if I would risk my health over a tree that might be sub par for bows
Title: Re: Tree I.D. Need Help
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on April 27, 2011, 11:47:03 pm
Yes i is very toxic....the berries when they are soft can kill you they say.  And the wood dust will mess you up.  I always cut small ones peeled the bark hacked on it with a hatchet and put on a string and shot them.  I understand that they make Rosery beads from the berries.  The beads that Catholics have.