Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: RAU on September 21, 2017, 11:41:30 am

Title: Mulberry staves
Post by: RAU on September 21, 2017, 11:41:30 am
I've got a co worker that's had a pretty large and straight mullberry tree blow over 2+ months ago. The main trunk looks to be atleast a ft in diameter (I've only seen phone pics) and off the ground but has been out in weather since it fell over. I'd never take the time to split staves out of a white wood that's been un split  and out in the weather for 2+ months  but I'm wondering how mulberry might weather these conditions. Would any of you use this for anything but firewood? I know Osage can handle this rough treatment just fine don't know about mulberry. Thanks for any advice

Don
Title: Re: Mulberry staves
Post by: leonwood on September 21, 2017, 12:14:45 pm
If it is off the ground you are good to go with mulberry, wouldn't trust the sapwood but the heartwood shoold be good
Title: Re: Mulberry staves
Post by: sleek on September 21, 2017, 02:27:37 pm
Mulberry and osage are close cousins. Mulberry is even yellow and changes color with age just like osage. There are two types of mulberry, red, and white. I have built bows if the red but not if white. Just make the bow a little bit wider thicker longer than osage and you should be fine. I have used the sapwood on mulberry bows, and if the tree is living, with undamaged sap, you should be fine.
Title: Re: Mulberry staves
Post by: simson on September 21, 2017, 02:30:09 pm
I use only heartwood, same as on osage.
Title: Re: Mulberry staves
Post by: Pat B on September 21, 2017, 03:34:30 pm
Are leaves still on the tree? If so the trunk should be just fine. Mulberry is somewhat rot resistant.