Is this Red Osier Dogwood?

[CherokeeKC]

I am about 99% sure this is red osier but just wanted a little reassurance since this is the first time i have cut some.  I found a lifetime supply in hundreds of acres of clear cut and along the ditch banks where we ride horses.  I appreciate any replies ahead of time.

[stringstretcher]

Not sure, but what red osier I have seen, looks nothing like that.  Let's see if this works.  Take a look if it does

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/6986/1000683nn3.jpg

[Buckeye Guy]

That looks more like Maple to me !
Still might be worth trying !!
And yes your link works Stringstrecher and a good pic !

[Gsulfridge]

Yep, pretty sure that is maple with red new growth.

[Pat B]

It doesn't look like red osier but it has opposite branching like most dogwoods do. You might as well try it and see how it works out. In the spring you can take pics of the leaves for proper ID.

[CherokeeKC]

Jeez...what a let down....I thought for sure it was red osier because the branches and new growth was so red.  Does red osier have a pith?  These do not

[CherokeeKC]

and does maple have opposite branching also?

[Gsulfridge]

Yep, maple is what I cut for "wiener roasting sticks" for the kids. It branches out opposite.

[CherokeeKC]

Why dont people use these for arrows?  Are they just too light when dry?

[Pat B]

On the maple I tried the diameter had to be too big to get a high enough spine.  Let those dry and see what they will do. You probably won't now what they are until spring anyway. You've got nothing to loose but time. 

[chamookman]

Here in Michigan, Whitetails LOVE eating on those clusters of Red Maple in the Winter ! Bob

[Tom Leemans]

Red osier will be really red in winter.

[twisted hickory]

Red osier this time of year is very red. If you get some you will like red osier. It's a little heavier than cedar but takes stump and tree shots better. If straight they shoot almost the same as my cedar arrows just a little lower.
Greg

[Mike_H]

I've used Sugar Maple for shafts a few times.  Light, flexible but doesn't stay straight well from my experience.

[crooketarrow]

   Those are maple. Are there lots of sapleings missing the bakk around the base to 2 feet up. If you have rabbits you'll see lots of maple sapleings where the rabbits have fead on the bark. in the winter time.
   As other have said, red osier is really red in the winter.