Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 12:10:26 pm

Title: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 12:10:26 pm

I cut down a tree and was wondering if maybe you guys could help I'd. I don't have leaves due to it was growing on a creek bank in a thicket. But maybe the bark and heart wood will help. Thanks for any info.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: wapiti1997 on January 18, 2013, 12:30:40 pm

Where are you located?  I can't tell a lot from the pic, but it looks like hackberry to me..

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 12:32:27 pm

I live in north florida.  Close to Jacksonville.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: Pat B on January 18, 2013, 01:44:32 pm

Sassafras maybe. Does it have a distinct smell? Not necessarily the smell most are used to with sassafras. There are quite a few different smells with this wood.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 18, 2013, 01:50:37 pm

I agree with Pat. I have a chunk of sassafras and it has the same gold hue to it. Just a guess.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 02:44:39 pm

Maybe I can find another tree like it with leaves still on it and post them. Thanks for the info. Hope it get it dried and maybe make a bow with it. With that log I can get 2-3 staves out of it.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: wapiti1997 on January 18, 2013, 05:15:09 pm

If you can take a pic of it in the daylight it might help too.  Could be black gum..

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 06:36:57 pm

I found another tree with only 2 leaves. Hope it helps.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: KShip85 on January 18, 2013, 10:08:18 pm

That leaf looks like some kind of willow to me.  I'll check my field guide when I get home and see if I can ID it.

Kip

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: Hrothgar on January 18, 2013, 10:11:21 pm

I think you're on the right track KShip85, I was going to say willow oak.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: Pat B on January 18, 2013, 10:43:07 pm

That sure looks like a willow leaf to me also.
  If it is willow its not bow wood but might make pretty good arrows.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 18, 2013, 10:52:27 pm

Does it make a good bow?

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: sleek on January 18, 2013, 11:14:34 pm

First bow I ever owned was a willow bow my dad made me. It was a 30 #er, at idk what draw length as I was a young teenager. Shot just fine, took allot of set though. But I didnt know you werent supposed to leave it strung for weeks and months back then either...

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: KShip85 on January 19, 2013, 02:21:17 am

After some looking I think I'm gonna say basket willow, although willow oak was a consideration as well.  If it is basket willow probably not gonna yield a great bow but I bet you could make a killer quiver with it :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/kshipley85/null-129.jpg)

Photo taken from nation Audubon society field guide to N. American trees eastern region.

Hope this helps.

Kip

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: bobbykelley on January 19, 2013, 09:16:41 am

Thanks guys. Well I'll give it a try when it dries and let ya know.

Title: Re: help I'd a tree
Post by: blackhawk on January 19, 2013, 09:30:00 am

If it is willow...what length did you cut it at? And what's its diameter....if too short and too much of a crown it is probably worthless for trying to make hunting weight bows from....unless you splice em,and decrown,and make em super wide and long....honestly if it is willow its a waste of your time IMHO