Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Dclarke on June 27, 2012, 04:37:43 pm

Title: HHB trees
Post by: Dclarke on June 27, 2012, 04:37:43 pm

I was out looking for bow wood today and found a couple of Hophornbeam trees
They are around 5-6" in diameter. Is this good enough for bow staves?
both are pretty tall as well.
Or I guess maybe a better question is how small can the diameter be?
Thanks in advance

Doug

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: osage outlaw on June 27, 2012, 06:32:33 pm

I've never cut a HHB tree, but I was given a log that size a few years ago.  I have made two bows from it and I still have half of it left.

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 27, 2012, 06:39:01 pm

I cut a sapling that was no more than 2 1/4" at the stump.
It made a good bow.  It is 6' long.

David

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: Pat B on June 27, 2012, 07:37:20 pm

2" and above will make a good bow. 5" to 6" should be perfect for quarter splits.

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: Dclarke on June 27, 2012, 09:33:12 pm

Thanks guys that is what I was hoping for  ::)
If I can quarter split 5-6" then I might be able to get up to 12 staves out of the trees I'm thinkin  :o

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: soy on June 27, 2012, 09:55:10 pm

Before you cut sight up the tree and make shure it dose not twist  ;) the bark tells the tail

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: Dclarke on June 28, 2012, 08:25:01 am

Thanks Soy!
I'll keep that in mind

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: straightarrow on June 28, 2012, 12:08:37 pm

That's a perfect size in my opinion. This time of the year the bark and cambium should peel right off. I've had my best luck sealing the ends and the back. Is better to take it off now rather then later

Jon

Like soy said.... take a good look at the bark. I made the mistake of cutting twisted wood before....... big waste of time and effort...   :(

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: crooketarrow on June 28, 2012, 12:25:11 pm

  I've never seen HHB stwist when it grows. But I've only cut 3 trees in my life. It will swarp if you split your staves to small.
  If the trees 2, 2 1/2 inchs is makes a far better bow if you use the whole stave instead of spliting and trying to get a couple bows. If bigger I 'll let them grow to 5 or 6 inchs where I can split staves from it.

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: Dclarke on June 28, 2012, 02:25:13 pm

Thanks Jon and Crooketarrow
If I cut them how long can I wait to peel them?
Can I get them out of the woods and home and do it then?
So much easier to seal them there than in the woods
 

Title: Re: HHB trees
Post by: blackhawk on June 28, 2012, 02:48:15 pm

Quote from: Dclarke on June 28, 2012, 02:25:13 pm

Thanks Jon and Crooketarrow
If I cut them how long can I wait to peel them?
Can I get them out of the woods and home and do it then?
So much easier to seal them there than in the woods
 

Yes