Bow or Firewood

[Rigo]

when i pulled the bark off it has a slippery slime coating on it, and the leaves are somewhat rough

[Cacatch]

Definately Elm. Sounds like American (White) elm to me. I don't know if this is also called "Slippery" Elm too, or if that is something diferent than this. But whatever it's called, I have made 2 bows from it myself, and yes it makes very good bows, especially good for short bows (under 56"). If you dry it out good it won't take a lot of set and is not prone to checking at all, good resistance to breakage.

[Rigo]

great thanks, i've got a couple to cut down so i hope i can get something out of them.

[Kent D.]

I believe that is elm.  Which is still a decent bow wood.  Not as good as hackberry, in my oppinion, but still a good bow wood.  You will treat it the same way as hackberry though.  I would use it for a bow in a NY second.  Actually, Im headed out this weekend to cut some hackberry and elm from my land.  Ill be putting up some staves for next year.


Whoops, read all the posts, looks like I was a little late on this one.   disregard this post.

[rossfactor]

Well, the elm we have around here has much smaller leaves (which doesn't mean anything really). But those leaves look a lot like a fruitless Mullbery to me. How dense and heavy is the wood?  Mulberry will be lighter than elm, and probably have some darker heartwood.
Gabe