Western Red Cedar makes good arrows. Mainly because it splits so straight. It's a brittle wood, snaps like a match stick. I really don't think it would make a bow, especially a short one. Maybe if it was backed with hickory or maple or some such. I'm more than willing to be proved wrong as there is lot of it around here. Maybe the natives used branches, they may be bendier. Come to think of it WRC does have white sapwood but it's usually a couple of inches thick on the trunk.