Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Joshua Long on October 12, 2009, 02:57:00 PM

Title: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: Joshua Long on October 12, 2009, 02:57:00 PM
I have a few hundred board foot of 4/4 and 5/4 cucumber magnolia.  It has been air drying in a barn for at least 5 years.  

Would this be suitable for arrowmaking?

Is there anyone who would like to trade some of this wood for finished arrows?

Joshua
Title: Re: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: recurve_shooter on October 12, 2009, 06:15:00 PM
It's in the Magnoliacae family along with Yellow Poplar, which has good straight grain and is used as an arrow wood.  

I don't have any personal experience with it, but since you have it laying around, it's worth a try.  You may have discovered the next great arrow wood!  I'm sure someone with shaft making capabilities will take you up on your offer.

Run a search for Poplar arrows and you'll find quite a few folks on here that use them.
Title: Re: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: wingnut on October 12, 2009, 07:34:00 PM
Never tried magnolia but poplar is hard too beat.  I've build a bunch of shafts from yellow poplar and taken many game animals with them.

Get yourself a shaft shooter or dowel maker and go too town.  

Mike
Title: Re: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: Joshua Long on October 13, 2009, 10:08:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: Jedimaster on October 13, 2009, 10:55:00 PM
PM Don Stokes, he is the man to know in all things pertaining to poplar shafts.  Also a wealth of knowledge on woods in general.  He'd be the fellow most likely to have experimented with this particular wood.
Title: Re: Cucumber Magnolia arrows???
Post by: Don Stokes on October 14, 2009, 10:15:00 AM
Cucumber and yellow poplar are very similar in grain structure, but cucumber is a little stronger and heavier than poplar on average. Both are members of the Magnolia family. It should make excellent arrows. Based on its properties I would have used it for Superceder shafts but I couldn't find a reliable source. It grows very well in the Mississippi delta region.