Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Anaconda 12 on May 17, 2009, 11:31:24 am

Title: Yellow Poplar?
Post by: Anaconda 12 on May 17, 2009, 11:31:24 am

Has anyone ever used this tree as a bow wood?  I have some growing around me and it is nice stuff, very straight and knot free, it looks like it would make a nice selfbow!  I think I would probabbly have to sinew back it though what do you guys think?

Title: Re: Yellow Poplar?
Post by: Pat B on May 17, 2009, 11:36:45 am

Poplar is not a good candidate for bows but makes very good arrows.

Title: Re: Yellow Poplar?
Post by: Hillbilly on May 17, 2009, 01:06:04 pm

I wouldn't say that you couldn't make a bow from it, but I would say that I wouldn't try unless it was for a challenge. It's lightweight wood. Like Pat says, it does make excellent arrows. Anywhere that tulip poplar is growing, there is probably much better bow wood also growing. Try hickory, white ash, locust, mulberry, persimmon, hophornbeam, black walnut, maple, or any number of others before you try the poplar.

Title: Re: Yellow Poplar?
Post by: sulphur on May 17, 2009, 02:14:37 pm

 ;D  ha ha ha ha ha ha ,  no seriously!!!  just kidding.  any wood will make a bow if its long enough or wide enough.  dont waste your though.  poplar is about all i make arrows from though.

Title: Re: Yellow Poplar?
Post by: Sparrow on May 17, 2009, 02:26:43 pm

Alot of bows were made from it,as far as I know,they were all longbows and were backed.(This is what I have read) I used it to make buckets,tubs and butter churns,I liked working it,it was nice wood and as the others say,its fairly light,strong for as light as it is though.  '  Frank