While preparing my mass chapter I made about 50 elbs from every wood I could think of including white woods, tropical woods, osage, yew, red oak and literaly everything I could get my hands on. Admittedly I made them a bit on the fast and not too perfect side but as long as the wood was dry I can't say I could point to any one wood and say it was better than another. These bows went from 35# to about 140#. Elm, hornbeam and maple are amoung my favorites. Steve