Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: rileyconcrete on April 01, 2012, 05:30:36 pm
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I have an elm tree in my yard that has to come down. Not sure what kind it is, although I have heard most elms in our area are Dutch Elm. Is this good for bow wood? If I cut it should I split and debark it right away? (after I seal The ends of course)
Thanks for any info in advance.
Tell
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I've come around 180 degrees in the last few years. I really believe in debarking everything nowadays. It saves a great deal of work and heartburn to debark and seal with a shellac or other finish.
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Great! that is what I was kind of leaning towards. Thanks.
Tell
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"Dutch elm" is a (natural) hybrid between Ulmus glabra (Wych elm) and Ulmus minor (field elm), with the botanical name Ulmus x hollandica. In Europe, the first two species readily hybridize, creating fertile offspring. That means that locally U. glabra is very common...while somewhere else U. minor might be very common...or in a third area where both species exist, Ulmus x hollandica is the most prevalent. Confusing!
All three species have excellent wood with similar properties. All great bowwood. I prefer to split and de-bark elm as soon as possible. Insects really like the sapwood, and it dries easily with little drying checks. Seals the ends of course, but it's not necessary to seal the back as well, IMO.
The two words "Dutch elm" are more often used in the context of "Dutch elm disease". A devastating fungal disease affecting basically any species of Ulmus, named after the country where if was first discovered and described - not the country where the disease originates from.
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Tell, I have used red and American elm for bows and they both work perfectly fine. The interlocking grain makes it a bear to split, but worth it in the end. Good luck
Tracy
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I have carved Red Elm. I would Love to find some now for making bows. It's a pain to carve.
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Yeah, I have also Carved the back of a red elm bow. (the wood was 1/4 sawn.) It is great wood. I just have never heard of anyone using dutch elm before. But I thinks darksoul cleared that up for me. Will be cutting the tree this weekend.
Tell
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I've come around 180 degrees in the last few years. I really believe in debarking everything nowadays. It saves a great deal of work and heartburn to debark and seal with a shellac or other finish.
I even debark osage, even though mentioning that I do on here has caused alot of ruckus in the past, >:D. Although it is fact that the sapwood will check pretty quick if you don't seal it good and fast, I get around this by sealing the back instantly after I remove the bark. 99% of the time it is fine if I seal it right after removing the bark.
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Promise me that you will name one of the bows from this product "Tickle Me, Elm Bow", will ya huh?
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Promise me that you will name one of the bows from this product "Tickle Me, Elm Bow", will ya huh?
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: if he doesn't JW, I will someday!
Tracy
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LOL JW. Maybe I will make a kids bow and name it that.
Tell