Hello,
I have wanted to build a bow since boyhood and since finding this forum, I have decided to attempt it. My father bought me a copy of Saxton Pope's book and that pushed me over the edge! I am located in eastern NC and have been researching material and reading threads about bow building and wood species. So today, I have been driving around checking on different wood sources and have found some good trees with potential. I can get my hands on all the Cherry, Hickory, and Pecan that I can handle. I have wanted to build an Osage bow since forever but these trees are rare where I live, I've only seen one in my whole life a few counties over and I didn't pay too much attention to it not knowing what it was at the time.
Now for the topic I need advise on:
Three years ago, a tree in my small town was blown over by hurricane Irene. The tree is right beside the road (across the ditch) and beside a tractor driveway to some barns/farmland. When it blew over, one of the limbs split and exposed the wood which I noticed was reddish orange and quite differ nt to wood in my area. I never stopped to look at the tree and from the road driving by I told myself it was a large Red Elm which is fairly common around town. long story short, I stop today on my way home and now I'm 99% sure it is an Osage Orange. I say 99% because I could not see any thorns on it. The tree has a good portion of its roots exposed but is very much alive.
I will be asking the farmer as soon as I find him if he minds me cutting the tree, which i don't think he will mind. If he says I can have it, what do I do with it as far as staves? Cut into logs and seal the ends or split the logs and seal? I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but I felt like I should ask someone who knows.
