Need more wood, Live Oak?

[spyder1958]

I need to get more wood started drying. I've been unsuccessful in finding any info on live oak thru the search here. I have a lot of large old live oaks that need some trimming and I've spied several large limbs that I think would make some great staves. But, I'd like to hear from you all before I cut, on anything that I need to know about live oak in prep for drying thru laying out a stave. Thanks in advance.
    Graylan

[blackhawk]

Its really dense wood..as dense or denser than osage ...and it will make a fine bow..although I haven't used it personally...not a whole lotta folks use it and cut it because its such a landmark tree in the south

[osage outlaw]

The Live Oaks on Amelia Island are beautiful.  I don't think I could cut those to make a bow.

[Peacebow_Coos]

My grandfather was from pioneer family and he had a small yew longbow.  I told him I was starting to make bows years back and he said if I couldn't find Yew, to try Live Oak.  I know all the other oaks will make a bow, and I was under the impression that live oak was either white or black...not sure what the actual name of 'live' oak is.  Is it an actual species name or just a pseudonym?  Hopefully some other chaps with more experience will chime in!

[SLIMBOB]

Quercus Virginiana.  Southern Live Oak.

There is some disagreement on whether it is part of the White Oak family or a distinct species unto itself.

[spyder1958]

Well I'm only triming limbs that have to be trimmed and what I don't use for bows I use for fire wood. I've only seen it mention a few times as a great bow wood. I think I can get a few snakey staves along with several natural R/D. Any design suggestions?

[kid bow]

my friend made one from live oak. he told me it was a dense ringed brittle wood. but it is possible to make a very good bow from this wood. if you do make a bow please share it on here i would love to see what you make of it

[coaster500]

Pretty common in California but din't know if it's the same a southern Live Oak but it's still called California Live Oak The way it grows here you could prune for staves and not kill the tree.

[bubby]

yea very common in Cal. I don't know about it being brittle tho I've split tons of the stuff and it can be a bear

[lesken2011]

I have heard it works very similar to osage. I have two large live oaks in my son's back yard. It has huge limbs that have grown over the house and need to be cut. There are a lot of staves in those limbs which will be cut this summer. I can't wait...