Hackberry...

[redboard]

OK, I live in Central TX and there are what the ranchers call Hackberrys everywhere. I have 7 of them in my backyard, two of which have fallen down, eaten to dust by something. They are considered trash trees here...

Is this the selfsame Hackberry that so many of the beautiful bows here are made with?

[Sasquatch]

I also live in Central Tx,  and yes they are the same.  Treat it similar to ash wood.  See you at the central texas bow building bust at Summerville lake May 17-18.  Check the events fourm.

[SLIMBOB]

One in the same.  Hackberry, Sugarberry, "Celtis Laevigata".  Love hackberry.  Lite as a feather and very good in tension.  It's weakness is in it's compression elasticity which is countered by heat tempering.  Where in central Texas are you?

[redboard]

Waco 

[Pat B]

I grew up in Savannah and we called hackberry sugarberry there.

[SLIMBOB]

Welcome to PA fellow Texican.  I'm south of you in the hill country.  My business is in Austin so not too far away.

[autologus]

I grew up in Savannah and we called hackberry sugarberry there.

Hackberry and Sugarberry are actually two different species.

Hackberry - Celtis occidentalis
Sugarberry - Celtis laevigata

Grady

[Pat B]

Thanks Grady. I didn't know that.

[smoke]

Cutting a hackberry in the morning.  Really good stuff and greatly underrated in my view.  As mentioned above, heat temper it and you will be pleased.

[SLIMBOB]

 We have always called it Hackberry around here when in fact it's Sugarberry mostly.  The woods are pretty much indistinguishable from one another.