Author Topic: Tree ID Help NC  (Read 7683 times)

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Offline TolkienFan

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Tree ID Help NC
« on: June 24, 2015, 10:17:54 pm »
Hi all, I'm new here.  I started making bows about a month ago, and have made 4 board bows, and now want to try to split some logs and make some from staves.  I am in the Raleigh/Durham area and there are tons of the trees below around.  I need help making sure they are correctly identified and want to know which ones would be best for a beginner?

Photos 1 & 2. I don't know?

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2015, 10:21:54 pm »
I think Photos 3 & 4 are some type of Hickory?

I think Photos 5 & 6 are either Sugar Maple or Red Maple?
“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2015, 10:24:12 pm »
Last two... I think this is a White Oak? Is that right?

I really appreciate any help! I am going to go tomorrow morning to harvest some.
“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline Loope

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2015, 10:29:47 pm »
1st one looks like poplar, 2nd tree is hickory, it looks like mockernut hickory, and the third is red maple.  Red maple has "V" shaped valleys between the leaf points while sugar has "U" shaped valleys between the leaf points.  I think the 4th tree is some type of white oak, not sure which variety.

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2015, 10:33:55 pm »
Thanks! Which would you say is the best if I can find equally straight trees?
“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline Drewster

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2015, 10:41:56 pm »
You have poplar, hickory, red maple and red oak.  The poplar would NOT be good bow wood.  The hickory would be great.  If you cut the hickory now or later in the summer the bark will peel off easily and that will be the back of your bow.  That's the one I would cut for sure.

The red maple would be OK and the red oak OK, but I would go with the hickory for sure if it's straight.  Find a good straight one and you'll have some good bow wood.  Cut the log into 6'-0" to 6-6" lengths, split out your staves, peel the bark off the back and seal the ends and back with shellac.  Store the staves outside for a few weeks under cover with good air flow but out of the sun.   After that you could move them inside for further drying. 

At that point you can reduce one or two to your rough bow dimensions and it will dry faster.  You may want to clamp it down to a form to keep it from warping or twisting until it dries another month or so.

Good luck and have fun!
Drew - Boone, NC

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2015, 10:44:08 pm »
Thanks Drewster! Really appreciate it. I will post photos as I go.
“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline alwayslookin

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2015, 10:46:08 pm »
Ya I'd start with the hickory. Good luck let us know how it goes
In all your ways acknowledge  him and he will make your paths straight.

Offline Spotted Dog

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2015, 12:01:29 pm »
I do not think the poplar/tulip will work too good. Very soft and rots quickly.
A three strand cord is not easily broken. Ecc.4:12

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2015, 02:27:45 pm »
Quick Update: Went today to a spot I thought would be good, but could not find Hickory at all.  :( Found mostly the tree below and couldn't figure out what it was but found one decent lil tree and will try it out.  Found a really good Red Cedar and cut that down.  The Hickory was right outside my building, so I hope I can find some more.

Does anyone know what this is? It was the most abundant tree.

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline Pat B

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2015, 03:57:56 pm »
That is possibly a beech. Will you post pics of the bark?
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2015, 05:07:10 pm »
Yes, here is the bark.

It doesn't have sawlike edges on the leaves, which the photos of beech look like they do?

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline Webradbury

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2015, 05:25:29 pm »
Thats Sourwood. Oxydendrum arboreum. It grows well in our area (I'm about 2 hours east of you) I've heard it will make a good bow. I've got a couple staves drying right now. We'll see. The shoots make good arrows. Will
« Last Edit: June 26, 2015, 07:56:03 pm by Webradbury »

Offline TolkienFan

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2015, 06:01:50 pm »
Thanks Will! I'm glad it is said to make good bows, because its absolutely everywhere haha.  Has anyone else had any experience with sourwood?

Here is our haul from today… 3x 3-5 inch Bamboo, 2x 5-6 inch Sourwood, and 2x 8-10 inch Red Maple.  Can't wait for these things to dry and be ready to make a bow!

“The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.”

Offline Chief RID

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Re: Tree ID Help NC
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2015, 10:13:54 am »
Way to get out there. Gathering materials is a fun part of the experience. Possibilities abound.