Author Topic: Ironwood? (Read 10423 times)

nugget · « **on:** June 05, 2007, 09:56:22 pm »

I believe I have some Hophornbeam on my land. I checked it by looking at my National Audobon Society Field Guide. But I was wondering if any of you might know something I could use as a for sure key to identify it?
Nugget

mullet · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2007, 10:44:20 pm »

Don't know.No pictures.What happened to mystery wood of the month?

Hillbilly · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2007, 11:02:35 pm »

It has alternate leaves that look much like the ones on musclewood, but it usually always has shaggy, peely bark. The fruits look much like hops.

GregB · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2007, 11:48:56 pm »

Hornbean looks very similar, but not as shaggy of bark as hophornbean. Pappy has both on his place.

Coo-wah-chobee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2007, 12:04:21 am »

...Haven't put mystery wood of month together yet Eddie. Other things have been in the way............bob

nugget · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2007, 10:18:14 am »

After a little more investigation I think I was wrong. It is hornbean not hophornbean. It may still fool me . Either way it is getting cut down and made into a bow.

Hillbilly · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2007, 01:21:07 pm »

Hornbeam usually has really smooth gray bark and the trees are usually fluted and muscley-looking near the base. It should make a good bow too if you can find one straight and untwisted enough for a stave.

nugget · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2007, 01:27:32 pm »

This is straight and the bark is smooth with ridges that run around the girth of the tree real fine close together.The leaves the best i can tell are correct for hornbean . will take another gander today.

Pappy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2007, 12:23:06 pm »

Hillbilly ,what you are describing sounds like what we call Blue Beach has slick bark like a beach but ripples in it that looks like muscles, around here we call it mussel wood.The picture looks like hornbeam.Ryan called it American hornbean,I don't know for sure.I haven't seen a piece of
muscle wood or Blue Beach straight enough to make a bow unless you cut billets and splice it.

Pappy

Hillbilly · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2007, 12:47:33 pm »

Pappy- blue beech, musclewood, ironwood, and American hornbeam are all common names for the same tree, Carpinus caroliniana. I've never found one straight enough for a stave yet, either.

nugget · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2007, 01:21:33 pm »

Pappy what you just described sounds just like what I have a bunch of on my property. I have found at least 5 trees that fit the desciption . They are about 8" to 10" around the outside diameter. I might be cutting and seasoning them here real shortly.

Pappy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2007, 01:39:52 pm »

Never built a bow from it ,but have hear it will work,So give it a go and let us know,should be ate up with character and I love that.

Pappy

Primitive Archer