Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: doggonemess on May 15, 2012, 06:23:24 pm

Title: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: doggonemess on May 15, 2012, 06:23:24 pm

I found a nice strong tree in the woods with no leaves or branches. Probably died before winter. The trees near it looked identical, and I was wondering if anyone knew what this was. I'm guessing it's some kind of hickory, but I'd like someone to take a look if they can. Thanks!

(http://thatsmywebguy.com/hosted/images/photos/archery/Trees_0013.jpg)

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: blackhawk on May 15, 2012, 06:34:42 pm

american hornbeam...aka musclewood,blue beech

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: Pat B on May 16, 2012, 12:30:03 am

What blackhawk said!  ;)

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: doggonemess on May 16, 2012, 02:02:21 am

Quote from: blackhawk on May 15, 2012, 06:34:42 pm

american hornbeam...aka musclewood,blue beech

Awesome, thanks!

And looking at it more carefully I suddenly realized that it can't be hickory - the leaves are alternate, not opposite.

I don't think I would have figured out that it was hornbeam without doing a lot of digging. Thanks for the ID, I appreciate it.

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: Pappy on May 16, 2012, 06:35:14 am

Yep,muscle wood. Very cool trees,never made a bow for it but like looking at them. :) :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: doggonemess on May 17, 2012, 05:05:06 pm

WELL, guess who just learned something REALLY important!?

I guess even if a tree is dead, and has been for quite some time, you can't just start stripping the bark off and make a bow out of it.

I started working the wood, stripping the bark and sort of tillering a little. I left it overnight, and in the morning discovered CRACKS all up and down the sides. Seems it wasn't quite ready to be stripped. I assumed that the thing would have been plenty dried out on its own.

Next time, I'm going to let it sit for a while. Perhaps I should get a moisture meter?

It was a nice shape, too. A test bend resulted in a lot of cracking noises. SIGH. I think maybe I'll make some arrows out of what's left when it finishes drying. I intend to visit the section of woods where I found it and see if I can find another dead one. I'm willing to bet there are more.

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 17, 2012, 06:07:12 pm

Dead or cut for quite some time? Dead whitewood is never a good idea. And that stuff grows in the same areas hop hornbeam grows usually. Looks for that and leave the beech if you can.

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: Bert on May 17, 2012, 07:14:04 pm

yeap thats 'haagbeuk' 'carpinus' 'charme' 'hornbeam' allright :)
Wach it though, I heard the sawdust could give ya eye-cancer !

Title: Re: Help with identifying wood - hickory maybe?
Post by: doggonemess on May 23, 2012, 04:42:21 pm

As mentioned, sharing picture of my sad, sad broken almost-bow.

(http://www.thatsmywebguy.com/hosted/images/photos/archery/broken_hb_bow.jpg)