Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Shondy55 on November 28, 2011, 09:28:51 pm
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hey guys i was online today and looking for what the osage orange tree looks like. i saw some pictures and im almost sure i have one in my own backyard and i never even knew it! is it too good to be true or is this really osage?
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Thats Osage! ;D
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LMAO :laugh:.........yup...I can recognize that anywhere...haven't you ever noticed the fruit? Or is it a male? Only females bear fruit.
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That trunk looks nice and straight too. ;D ;D
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And even the staves are as clear as day an sticking out,and will guide you where to split..wow..your lucky and it don't get easier than that.....and now you don't need to take my advice from earlier today and ya can save gas by not having to take that country drive thru the farm country.....still LMAO :laugh:
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Man that is a monster......whew we!!!!
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;D
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Do male and female have thorns?
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Looks like osage to me. Cut into it and see if its yellow inside. Looks like some character staves are in there.
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If it falls to the right that fence will be flat as a pancake. :o
George
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Yup. That house just put some cash in your pocket. Looks like a lifetime supply you got there.
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Thanks guys! There are two even bigger ones in my neighbors yard but there really twisted.its a shame though because my other neighbors cut down the biggest one in the area and idk it was even Osage. That was before I started making bows so I was using chunks of it for firewood :-\.
Would it be okay to only cut a large branch off? And if so how long. And how do I dry it out? Thanks again ;D
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Sweet! Cut it down! Lucky man
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It takes a forever to grow a decent front yard tree in a barren landscape like you show there. I can't imagine cutting down a nice tree in that situation, even if it is Osage.
Up here you'd have to get permission to cut down a tree that size. We don't really "own" our yard trees here and that's a good thing, I think.
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Wow, that looks like a monster osage tree! Though I don't think I could cut it down. Not every tree needs to be turned into a bow and I'd have a hard time cutting down such a nice tree just to leave a naked space in my yard.
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It has been my finding that very large, gnarly, osage trees like the one in the picture don't yield very good bow staves, lots of waste wood to get to a few good staves.
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Hard to tell from just the base of the trunk. If the crown is filled with dead black limbs then I would agree. I've cut trees that had lots of dead wood where water had followed the wood down into the center of the trunk which rotted and consequently became a giant carpenter ant hotel. I've also cut trees that had good wood in them too, just never know.
George
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Shure is tempting...I have a great big b l tree in my yard, can't bring my self to cut it(yet) but I have thought of branches my self. Just remember the top is what I've been told to use as it is the tension side and makes a better bow...i dont know if it is fact or fiction but I see the logic ;)
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If you decide to cut it, seal the ends with plenty of glue, shellac, or urethane. If you split it into staves and remove the bark and sapwood, seal the backs of the staves like you do the ends. Store it in a dry place.
Before you cut it, check your area and see if you could find some nearby to cut, like someone mentioned earlier. Why not do a search for "osage" on your local craigslist site. You might find someone selling osage for firewood. You might be able to tell them what you are wanting and ask them to call you if they find a suitable tree. Just an idea. You could always go to the closest rural area and ask some farmers. They typically don't care for osage. Good luck with what ever you decide.
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Hey Pat, if you don't "own" your yard trees, you must liven in the PEOPLES' REPUBLIC OF ANN ARBOR, MI, .......HA
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And even the staves are as clear as day an sticking out,and will guide you where to split.....
...could even have the design laid out right underneath the bark... 8) 8) 8)
Want one in my backyard, too...
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I live in Canada. There is some logic to that ruling though. You need trees in the city and the average city person has no clue as to the benefits and nearly everyone would cut their trees down to save them the bother of yard work.