Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Wolfmanjack on September 02, 2019, 08:10:55 am
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Anyone know what this is? Found in southwest Mississippi. Have tons of it growing on our place.
(https://i.imgur.com/OqLxpPy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YhtDdbp.jpg)
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Looks like a Hickory, maybe pignut?
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Could be sourwood(Oxydendrum arboreum). Sourwood does grow in your area. Does the crown have flower/seed clusters at the upper branch tips? Will you post a pic of the whole tree?
Sourwood sends out shoots from 12" to 5' to 6' long. These shoots make good arrows. I've read about bows being made from sourwood but I've never done it.
Wrong type of leaves for hickory.
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No flowers or seed clusters. I’ll see if I can get a good pic of whole tree.
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(https://imgur.com/a/eO8BM1B)
(https://i.imgur.com/hPwd8MK.jpg)
I think sourwood is correct. You can see all the shoots coming up around the base. Probably not good bow wood then?
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Bows have been made from sourwood. Lots of good arrow woods make good bows.
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Usually shoots appropriate for shafting would either grow from the trunk or in the crown. It is the way sourwood trees grow and not shoots coming out of the ground.
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None of the trees I have observed have shoots coming from the trunk. I’m pretty sure now that it is indeed sourwood. I cut one small hickory, two white oaks, a pecan, two American holly, and 3 water oaks. It’s going to be a long wait for these to season.