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Author Topic: incence cedar??  (Read 3074 times)

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hunterman

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incence cedar??
« on: November 20, 2007, 11:19:00 pm »

took a visit to my grandparents place today. first thing i did was go out in the back and look through the numerous logs on the forest floor.  ;D

found one that i thought might work for a bow. looks kinda like a juniper. my grandma said the leaves looked like they were cedar and the only cedar they had around was insence cedar. no idea what that is, and i was wondering if anyone knows if it's a good bow wood. 

i don't have a camera with me so here's some info.
they live in the sierra nevadas in northern california and the color of the wood is sort of a light orange color with white sapwood that peels easily. Bark is sort of a brownish red and the leaves look like flat scaly pine needles.
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Offline waterlogged

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Re: incence cedar??
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2007, 02:45:12 am »
I know the exact type of tree you're talking about, and it will make a bow, but it's extremely weak in tension. Usually you'll have to back it, but even then, it's only practical for bows below about #45 I'd say. Where are they in Northern California? There are some really good bow woods around here.
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Offline M-P

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Re: incence cedar??
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2007, 04:13:52 am »
Hi,  I've heard anecdotal reports of bows made from incense cedar and western red cedar.  Every story has ended "but the bow blew up after a few shots."

Ron
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Offline Badger

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Re: incence cedar??
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2007, 05:47:08 am »
Hunter, I found a board of incence cedar at my wood suppliers a few years ago, very straight and clear with no knots. I backed it with maple if I remember right and it made a very sweet bow, as far as I know it is still shooting it was simple pyramid around 50#. It looked to me like erc but slightly more orange rather than red. Steve
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hunterman

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Re: incence cedar??
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2007, 11:32:19 am »

they live up by angles camp and arnold. pretty small towns. if there's any better wood around there, let me know.

can i back it with oak or silk?? grandparents won't let me cut down their maple trees  :'(
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