Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: osage outlaw on January 23, 2012, 08:15:39 pm

Title: Unusual tree ID
Post by: osage outlaw on January 23, 2012, 08:15:39 pm

My parents are going to be tearing down this old shed and some of the posts are split trees.  I'm not sure what they are.  I know they aren't osage.  I took a hatchet and chopped into them and they are a light brown color.  I think they might be black locust, but I'm not sure what exactly that looks like.  The shed was built sometime around the late 70's or early 80's.  Does anyone know what they are?  Do you think they will still be OK to make a bow from?  Most of the posts have stayed really dry.  My camera battery died after the first picture so the close up one is from my cell phone so it isn't the best.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14458.jpg)

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/0123121719.jpg)

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: Bevan R. on January 23, 2012, 08:19:22 pm

The BL staves I have are a light milk chocolate color. Could it be mulberry?

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 23, 2012, 08:21:51 pm

The bark has a locust look to it.

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: osage outlaw on January 23, 2012, 08:42:03 pm

I don't think its Mulberry.  We don't have those on our property that I know of. 

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 23, 2012, 09:26:31 pm

I bet its locust. Split it and see! If the bugs didnt eat it I bet its still just fine bow wood. I dont know if Black locust and honey locust have the same color wood?

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: Hrothgar on January 23, 2012, 09:32:53 pm

The bark looks Black locust.

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: Pat B on January 23, 2012, 09:33:11 pm

If its not osage I bet it is locust. Lots of folks around here use locust poles for barns and sheds because, like osage, it is very rot resistant...but we don't have osage around here.    Locust has a cat pee smell to it to me.

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: osage outlaw on January 23, 2012, 09:59:43 pm

Ok, Locust it is.  As soon as my uncle gets his tractor out of there, we are tearing it down.  There are 5 or 6  posts so hopefully it is still good. 

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: Buckeye Guy on January 23, 2012, 10:29:27 pm

Does have that black locust look
Some of those beams look like bow wood to me also!
Man osage you are gona be bow wood poor soon the way it seems to be finding you !
Guy
I know where we will be stoping at on the way back from the Classic ! >:D

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: osage outlaw on January 23, 2012, 10:39:56 pm

If I had a place to store it, I would do nothing but cut bow wood for the next few years while I am still somewhat young.  Then I could spend the rest of my years trying to use it all up.  I should be wrapping that osage project up in the next couple of weeks.  I will post an update when I'm done.

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: Qwill on January 24, 2012, 02:28:05 pm

My vote goes to Black Locust. If it's very splintery, and has a little bit of a "glimmer" when you split, it's locust.

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: TRACY on January 24, 2012, 09:15:04 pm

Bark looks like black locust but wouldn't rule out Kentucky coffee tree either.

Tracy

Title: Re: Unusual tree ID
Post by: blackhawk on January 25, 2012, 08:39:18 am

After ya rip em out slice a sliver off the end to see the end grain and you'll know what ya got.