Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: Talonzz on June 04, 2009, 04:40:53 pm
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Hey kids... I found a number of thickets of these on my land while out runnin' around and I need help identifying it. It is growing in kind of a roadside, marshy area along with a type of small bamboo/snake grass looking stuff. I live in Central Minnesota if that helps. As you can see from the pictures below, it grows nice and straight for at least the first 3 feet before any small branches show up. They are all under 1/2" thick with bark on. There are a few pine cone looking things (pods) on some of them and I found at least one or two things that look like berries.
What is it? and would it make good arrows? If it would make good arrows could you guide me to directions on what to do with it once it's harvested.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8384/grove.jpg) (http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8175/straightnlong.jpg)
(http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/6690/thickness.jpg) (http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2913/berrynleaves.jpg)
(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9771/podx.jpg)
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No idea! Sorry! ??? ;D
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i dont live far from ya,seen it before but not sure what it is
is it pithy in the middle?
dry some out and give it a try
there should be all kinds of red osier around the marsgy areas,good arrow material
other wise you can use suckers from like maple trees and even hezelnut shrub shoots
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looks simmilar to willow?
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My wife and I both thought it looked like willow. Not sure with the round Pine Cone looking things though. I'll keep waiting and researching.
Thanks for lookin' and trying to help though.
Sailordad: Yeah, I'm just down 23 from you about 1/2 hour in Milaca. I've got a dozen shoots cut, peeled and drying in the barn right now. I'll let you know how it works out.
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Not sure what that is. but doesnt hurt to just give a few a try.
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My first thought was willow until I saw the cone. Now I don't know. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service.
When you collect shoots for arrows, be sure it is at least 2nd year growth. Generally, the first year a shoot grows it has leaves along it's length. The second year small branches grow from where last years leaves were. Collect only shoots with branches and not just leaves.
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I don't know the name, but I do recognize the cone, and the fleshy red growth too. I was doing a web search for various types of willow, but was unsuccessful finding anything.
Now I'm really curious.
D
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I'm pretty sure at least the red fleshy "berry" is a gall. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gall) You can see it is actually attached to a leave, not to a branch. A gall is usually on a leaf, and is a plants reaction to a parasitic animal (insect). Many galls exist, with different shapes. That "pine cone" is also a gall. Who would have guessed it's name: Pine-cone willow gall (http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/08/salix_sp_1.php)
It's still a willow though.
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I think Dark Soul nailed it for you. Willow will make arrows, but if you can find red osier or wild rose, you'd be happier with them.
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Well DarkSoul, you win the prize with the pine cone willow gall. I could tell the small reddish growth was a gall but I have never heard of a pine cone willow gall. Thanks for the info.
Like Hillbilly said, willow will make an arrow but wild rose or red osier will work out better for you.
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Thank You all For the help on this... I really appreciate it.
I'm gonna give theses a try and keep searching for other material. Most of my land is pasture for the horses so I don't have much to choose from.
Thanks Again ;D
Found it...
Salix irrorata Andersson
(Bluestem Willow)
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Check around creeks, ditches and border areas for other shoot materials. The birds do a great job of distributing seeds to these areas.
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That looks like young willow shoots. I've never made arrows from it but if that's all you've got, then give it a try.
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You should cross reference it against a plant called ''mule fat'' that is what it looks like to me anyway. I don't know if it is good for arrows but it is great for hand drill fire .
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reallyh that will work for a hand fire drill?
what else would one need to go with it to make fire?
been wondering what in my area would work for this,been wanting to try and make fire the old fashioned way
Talonzz:you live in the milaca area and have horses.there was a guy from that area who had horses too,that was a parts guy at the dealership that i work at
his name was Tom(last name is missing from my mind at the moment,no coffee yet today)
and you know there is a knapp in of sorts on june26-27th in pine city,also another one in Lake Benton (near pipestone) in August
the wife and are definatly going to lake benton and may check out the one in pine city,hope to see ya there
i'll be the one with the US NAVY hat and t-shirt(more than likely) on
also ifn you want to hook up some time and go to some state land i can show you red osier
peace,
tim