Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DC on June 05, 2019, 03:03:41 pm

Title: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 05, 2019, 03:03:41 pm

Does anyone have any experience with Ninebark? I collected this piece today after seeing some at the Vancouver Island Wood Bow Gathering. It looks like a west coast Laburnum, gorgeous wood. The piece I found was dead on one side so I only got one billet but there is more there and I'll be getting some. Apparently the First Nations people made children's bows from it. Any drying info? The piece in the picture is 2 1/4" dia and the heartwood is 1 1/2".

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: Hamish on June 05, 2019, 03:48:31 pm

Any idea what its scientific name is?

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 05, 2019, 04:02:38 pm

Physocarpus capitatus

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: bjrogg on June 05, 2019, 04:09:30 pm

Hope it works out DC. Looks like it'd make a beautiful bow if you could use it like yew. Really nice contrast. Maybe you could do a bend test.
Bjrogg

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 05, 2019, 04:30:20 pm

I've got a small piece somewhere that I collected 4-5 years ago. It doesn't have any heartwood but if I can find it I'll bend it. ;D

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: wizardgoat on June 05, 2019, 05:28:18 pm

I’ve only made a kids bow from it, but it seems like good stuff, somewhere in between ocean spray and hazel. Mine was only sapwood, has a very large pith, tough to find any large pieces.

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 05, 2019, 06:43:22 pm

I found some that is 6-8" in diameter but only 2' is even straightish. it seems to grow in the thickest, most tangled part of the bush. Hard for an old guy to crash around in. ;D ;D

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: upstatenybowyer on June 05, 2019, 06:44:55 pm

It sure is purdy.

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: Bryce on June 05, 2019, 10:45:40 pm

It’s good wood, but like most of our woods don it needs to dry slow. Give it a flat belly and fair amount of heat treating. Tension is really nice on this wood.

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 06, 2019, 07:08:54 am

Do you split it or saw it Bryce? It looks pretty twisted.

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: bradsmith2010 on June 06, 2019, 07:57:40 am

Beautiful

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: Hawkdancer on June 06, 2019, 09:49:18 am

Nice looking wood!  Good luck with the build!
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: Bryce on June 06, 2019, 10:19:45 pm

Quote from: DC on June 06, 2019, 07:08:54 am

Do you split it or saw it Bryce? It looks pretty twisted.

Saw it, np.

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 07, 2019, 08:38:27 am

Thanks Bryce

Title: Re: Pacific Ninebark
Post by: DC on June 08, 2019, 11:30:27 am

I made a quickie bow from the Ninebark branch I've had for 4-5 years. It's beautiful wood to work. Likes the block plane, spoke shave, rasp and scraper. Steam bends like a dream and doesn't stain from the steam. The branch was 1 1/4" dia at the handle. I got 30# at 27". I think I could have gotten more if I hadn't cut too close to the center when I roughed it out 4-5 years ago. Can you tell I like this wood? :D
If anyone is wondering about the name this is what the bark looks like.