Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: H Rhodes on February 27, 2012, 10:21:29 pm

Title: Eastern red bud
Post by: H Rhodes on February 27, 2012, 10:21:29 pm

The eastern redbud trees are starting to bloom here in Alabama....  They are in the legume family, like honey locust or kentucky coffee trees....Cercis canadensis is what the book calls them....  My latin sucks so I am not sure if that means "Make a bow out of me" or not.   Made me curious to know if any of you guys have tried redbud trees for bow wood. There are lots of them around here and they are easy to spot now, since they are the first to bloom every spring.

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on February 27, 2012, 11:01:11 pm

Give it a try and let us know how it turns out.........

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: Pat B on February 28, 2012, 01:10:48 am

I have not used redbud but I have heard it makes a good bow. I know it is hard when it dries. Give it a try and treat it like a whitewood.

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: H Rhodes on February 28, 2012, 02:22:46 am

I am putting it on my list of bow wood to try...  I am going to tie a marker on one while it is covered in purple flowers so I can distinguish it after the weather warms a little and the blossoms are all gone.  The trunks seem to blend in with the oaks in summer. 

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: JonW on February 28, 2012, 09:27:49 am

I only have one under my belt from Redbud . Flatbow design,  66" TTT,2" at the fades out to 12" and then tapering to the tips. It seemed as good as any other white wood I've used.  I agree it seemed very hard for a white wood.

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: criveraville on February 28, 2012, 01:45:34 pm

We have a lot here now both red and white and it is in bloom.. I should go cut some..

Cipriano

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: SA on February 28, 2012, 10:17:08 pm

i cut some last year i plan to try.....think its our state tree >:D hmm, wander if i could get in trouble

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: Pat B on February 29, 2012, 12:33:23 am

HRhodes, redbud has heart shaped leaves.  ;)

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: H Rhodes on February 29, 2012, 02:27:21 am

Thanks for the info everyone.  I will give a redbud tree a try.  We have lots of it here....  Alabama is blessed with so many fine bow woods.  I hope I live long enough to build one from every doggone one of them! 

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: RidgeRunner on February 29, 2012, 11:34:05 am

Hay HR.
If I have not asked before...Where about in Alabama are you???
I am up here west of Decatur about 20 miles.

If you can find a Red Bud that is large enough you can chase a ring down to the heartwood.
You can treat the heartwood just like Black Locust.  It will check real bad so be sure and seal it up real good.

David

Title: Re: Eastern red bud
Post by: H Rhodes on March 01, 2012, 02:22:37 am

Hey David.  I am down in Livingston, in SW Alabama.  Thanks for the advice.  I have been noticing that we have a lot of it growing around here.  I am planning on cutting a few staves toward the end of this week, if the rain ever slacks up.