Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: NewBowyer on May 19, 2020, 04:11:31 pm

Title: Another tree ID question
Post by: NewBowyer on May 19, 2020, 04:11:31 pm
Central Indiana, smooth gray bark. It’s hopefully for a kid’s bow.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: Ricardovanleeuwen on May 19, 2020, 04:14:20 pm
Looks like dogwood
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: Pat B on May 19, 2020, 04:20:23 pm
Yes, it's a dogwood. The smaller shoots(2nd year growth) will make great arrows too.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: NewBowyer on May 19, 2020, 04:56:30 pm
Cool; thanks. A quick search here says it makes a decent bow. I cut a tiny sapling for a 40-45” kid’s bow so I’m hoping it’ll work. Easily debarked and drying already. Do most agree that it’s not necessary to seal the back & ends on little saplings?
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: dylanholderman on May 19, 2020, 05:44:24 pm
i'd still seal the ends, and if you already stripped the bark rough out the belly side and you should be ok.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: bownarra on May 20, 2020, 12:25:57 pm
That stave looks a bit narrow to me....
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: NewBowyer on May 20, 2020, 01:34:34 pm
 ::) But yes, the real "stave" IS very narrow. The "kid" I referenced will turn 3 in July. So I'm basically gonna try to turn a fat twig into a toy.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: Pat B on May 20, 2020, 02:12:21 pm
Be sure to collect some arrow shafting for yourself and the kids.   :OK
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: bownarra on May 21, 2020, 01:47:12 am
::) But yes, the real "stave" IS very narrow. The "kid" I referenced will turn 3 in July. So I'm basically gonna try to turn a fat twig into a toy.

It was a joke :)
Dogwood makes superb bows and it is a very tolerant wood.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: Eric Krewson on May 21, 2020, 07:12:27 am
If it has slick bark it must be a different kind of dogwood than we have here, ours have bark like a young persimmon.
Title: Re: Another tree ID question
Post by: NewBowyer on May 21, 2020, 07:19:12 am
I think it might be Cornus alternifolia, aka Alternate-leaf Dogwood or Pagoda Dogwood, based on location. I'm gonna give it a try.