Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Jimbob on November 01, 2011, 04:26:09 am
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Can anyone show me pictures of an osage tree and do you know if it can be found in NC?
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I don't have a pic but I know osage grows in NC. Look for the balls! ::)
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Jimbob, It's also called Hedge Apple, the "apples" are the balls PatB was talking about. Sorry if you were expecting a different type of balls. :o ??? ;)
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Thanks Guys!! Now I remember seeing those. Thank you!!
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Google Maclure pomafera and see what comes up! Should have good pics, discriptions and it's range.
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They don't all have balls!!! :-[
But that is a very good sign!! 8)
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Only the girl trees do! ;D
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Here's an old thread of mine that shows us finding and cutting osage. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,26710.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,26710.0.html) however, I'm like the rest of the guys and tend to look for the fruit. In the winter time when the leaves are down, osage trees have a slight yellow tint to them from a distance. Also, look for thorns on new growth.
George
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Here are a couple of pictures.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11410.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11409.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC11405.jpg)
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Great looking shoots on some of those trees, Clint. ;)
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I think I will let them grow for a while ;)
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2" diameter will make a great bow!
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Really Pat? 2" diameter around here will have no heartwood at all.
George
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Pat, they are plenty big enough, I just don't need any more right now. Plus, I have been trying to only cut the trees that have fell over and saving the standing trees for the years ahead. My grandpa cut a ton of osage for firewood many years ago so there is a lot of great second growth.
Here is a picture of the fruit and leaves.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14349.jpg)
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The osage tree my bow is leaning on is what you wanna look for. Its perfectly pipe straight and clean of knots,catfaces,and borer holes. A great example,but unfortunetly this ones off limits to the saw. :'(
(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x436/blackhawk28/2011-10-05_17-59-14_966.jpg)
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Thanks guys, I love the wealth of knowledge on here.
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Even an all sapwood, 2" osage pole will make a hunting weight bow. Add a bit of heartwood and you have great hunting bow material. I have 1/2 of a 2" pole drying now with 1/8" to 3/16" of sapwood and the core heartwood. Gonna be a great bow. ;)
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Thats pretty cool Pat, I cant wait for my days off to roll around, which is in about 8 hours or so. I'll be hittin the woods to look for a Good candidate.
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I may have to try that. I kept about a 4" osage character billet I split in half and intended to splice into a nice character bow. One of the 2 billets checked dead center and the crack ran in over a foot. No way I'm gonna be able to splice that one, but I could finish that split and make a sapwood/heartwood bow out of those 2 quarters. For sure there isn't enough heartwood for a heartwood bow, but if I use some sapwood...might make a nice bow (or 2).
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6304937490_c3844046ce_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6304412331_10a728c7dc_z.jpg)
Sorry for the hijack Jimbob.
George
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I took a 2" pole and after studying it I bandsawed it in half lengthwise. I then bound the 2 halves back together with rope and small wood spacers between them for good air circulation. I kept them bound together for about 6 months then released them. Both stayed flat! When I work the stave I will induce some backset so I can control it somewhat. I get better results manipulating the wood into reflex than depending on nature to do it for me, in most cases.