autumn olive

[RyanR]

I seen a previous post about autumn olive but it seemed no one had tried making a bow out of this stuff. I just was looking for information if anyone has tried. Density, bow length and construction. I might go cut some this weekend.

[Josh B]

I gave it a shot once.  The wood is very hard and dense.  I blew it up pretty early in the tillering, but I'm pretty well convinced that the fault was mine. (Wrong layout, wrong design). I have one more piece to try, but it has as many knots and thorns as the first piece did.  I think a flatter backed and cleaner stave than I have might be promising.  Here's the link to my attempt. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,35585.msg468308.html#msg468308.     Good luck and post your results.  Josh

[M-P]

Howdy,   The search function does not appear to be working for me today.  Non the less, I know several threads in the past have dealt with making bows from autumn olive or its close relative , russian olive.   Results have varied, but usable bows are possible.  Russian olive wood is dense, with beautiful heartwood and I suspect the same is true of autumn olive.   Reports also say the wood tends to be brittle and difficult to dry without checking or splitting.
Ron

[RyanR]

Thanks for the info. I have my eye on some and I think there might be some with a decent diameter.