Local woods

[Corvus]

So far have some OS and yew roughed out, yew turned out to be mostly billets. Hope to find more this weekend, got 3 nice OS staves roughed down though.
Others to harvest:

Rocky mtn juniper? I know juniper varies widely, not sure if this one is useable,  could not find data.

Red elderberry (found some example bows, seems it needs support though?)

Madrone? It's strength seems to be there and it is beautiful wood, but have not seen any examples of it being used.

White oak
Vine maple
Pacific dogwood
(Others that I have not physically seen may be around)

Thanks for any input on those 3 I am not as sure on

Oh and possibly orange honeysuckle? Did not match any types of honeysuckle references I found, so doubting it

[dylanholderman]

post some pics of the honeysuckle the stuff that grows around me has white or yellow flowers and i wouldn't be surprised if there is a orange cultivar.

[NewBowyer]

Same here in Indiana- we have tons of honeysuckle with those white or yellow flowers and striped bark. It rarely grows straight or knot-free but I’ve found a couple that I’m hoping will work. Planning to use the arc for a natural reflex. Whenever I cut any or walk thru it, it seems really tough and springy.

[Corvus]

Will see if I can find some today for pics, not sure if I will be over where I saw them today. They have these big trumpet like orange flowers, upon further research I doubt it will make a bow wood, but possibly good arrow wood for hollow shafts?

[GlisGlis]

Do you have hazel near you?
It makes good bows and can be dried quite fast

[Corvus]

Do you have hazel near you?
It makes good bows and can be dried quite fast

Not that I have seen. Yew and OS are solid and vine maple is pretty nice too. Pacific dogwood if I can find some available to snag. Those are probably the top 4 around here.

I am really interested if madrone would be suitable as it seems like it could be and it is a pretty wood, but have not found anything about it having been used. It's numbers have me thinking it could be a viable option

[Corvus]

So after some more searching looks like madrone is a big MAYBE if you back it. Appears to be weak in tension

[Jim Davis]

You might find some black locust in your area and it can make a good bow. Locust has been planted in most western states and has spread in some cases.

[Corvus]

You might find some black locust in your area and it can make a good bow. Locust has been planted in most western states and has spread in some cases.

It is considered highly invasive and spreads like wildfire, I know it is south of us on the mainland, but not sure about a presence here in the islands. It is one that I plan to keep my eyes open for though