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Arrowwood viburnum shrubs.

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Morgan:
Been thinking of planting some arrow shaft producing plants. From reading, it looks like the Arrowwood viburnum is a very easy to grow specimen that tolerates most any soil. Anyone grow this, or use shafts from this plant. For that matter what, I’m this communities opinion, would be the best plant for someone to grow to have a self sustaining arrow shaft crop if you will. I live in Oklahoma so whatever I choose needs to be able to handle our drastic weather swings. I know that shaft material is easily found, but it’d be nice to have something in my back yard. I’ve even thought about planting some elm and hackberry along one fence line for future bowstaves.

Pat B:
Morgan, check with your Cooperative Extension Service about your area and the plants that grow well. I think OK has some cane, possibly some of the shrub dogwood types, viburnums and other usable shafting plants.
 We have arrow wood Vib growing wild but not on my property. I do have blackhaw Vib. here and have made good arrows with it.  IMO, the best arrow wood is the one that works best for you. I also have hill cane on my property but prefer sourwood for making arrows.

DC:
I tried to get my local garden center to order in some Arrowwood viburnum. They couldn't find it anywhere. I planted a clumping bamboo (Fargesia scabrida) 4-5 years ago and should cut my first shafts next year.

Morgan:

--- Quote from: Pat B on November 06, 2017, 08:08:39 am ---Morgan, check with your Cooperative Extension Service about your area and the plants that grow well. I think OK has some cane, possibly some of the shrub dogwood types, viburnums and other usable shafting plants.
 We have arrow wood Vib growing wild but not on my property. I do have blackhaw Vib. here and have made good arrows with it.  IMO, the best arrow wood is the one that works best for you. I also have hill cane on my property but prefer sourwood for making arrows.

--- End quote ---

Pat, we do have cane. I cut a gob of it during summer and it was all too young and wilted. I also cut a bunch of shoots from a very big maple that had shoots growing from all over it low on the trunk. I think they were coming from wounds on the tree. I believe they were too young too, dried out but they were still real whippy, no stiffness.
DC, was thinking about growing some clumping bamboo, but unsure of which kind is most suitable, and how long it takes to take hold. Also heard it’s finicky of soil type. That Arrowwood is supposed to grow in anything if I’m reading right.

archeryrob:
I used to cut Southern Arrowwood all the time. It seemed to go in semi wet areas the best and grew on hill side and such in the wood. My best shoot grove was a semi wet area in a woods that has been regrowing and had lots of sunlight. If growing it in your yard I would probably have to get fairly large to get good straight shafts.

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