Is this Osage?

[whitetailhyper]

I cut these on Bois D'arc road just north of my hometown of Minden, LA.  I was told there were a bunch down that road as the name implies.  I thought I identified some but, now I am having serious second thoughts. Please help. Also, there is one picture of what we call ironwood and what I think I have identified as Carpinus caroliniana but, would be greatful if someone lent a hand properly identifying these trees.  I am preparing to make my first bow.              

[whitetailhyper]

Also, are these big enough and well suited for making a one-piece long bow?

[Osagetree]

It is not Osage but I can't tell you what it is,,,, sorry.
You'll know osage when that chainsaw of yurn's throws yellow wood chips!  

[PEARL DRUMS]

Nope. Looks like some American Beech and maybe soft Maple.

[MikeW]

Nope

[whitetailhyper]

Is the other an iron wood? in picture 1 on the far right and picture 4.

[whitetailhyper]

it was thorny and on Bois D'arc rd so I took a gamble.

[Don Stokes]

The ones with the muscular bark are American Hornbeam, aka ironwood. More than one species are called ironwood.

[mwirwicki]

Keep in mind, often the names of trees are regionally specific.  That is to say, "skillet" and "pan" are the same depending on which part of the country you are from.  I may be a bit rusty but, I believe that American Hornbeam is also called Blue Beech and/or Muscle Wood.  Which I feel identifies the muscular smooth bark tree in your pic.  It is also a bit blue in color.  Hop hornbeam is a tree with a segmented bark very similar to shagbark hickory only the "shags" are much smaller.  I've heard both American and Hop hornbeams called, Ironwood.

[whitetailhyper]

Thanks for all of your input. I am posting a new topic with questions I have regarding how to get started with this ironwood.

[wood carver 2]

I may be wrong, but your ironwood doesn't look anything like the Ironwood I'm used to seeing here in Southern Ontario. It's also called Hornbeam here. Ours is grey brown with flaky bark.
One way to tell: Ironwood is so hard that the chainsaw left the wood smooth, almost polished, instead of looking torn up like any other wood.
Dave.

[Eric Krewson]

Hophornbeam is the one kind of Ironwood, flakey bark and all. Blue beech or American hornbeam is another kind and has slick bark. It is American hornbeam in the picture above.

[wood carver 2]

After I added my 2 cents I checked the Audubon Field Guide To North American Trees and realized that there is American Hornbeam and American Hophornbeam. I should have looked first   .
Are both of these woods good for bow building? apparantly American Hornbeam grows in my area too.
I've always been a wood hound but now that I've become interested in bow building the disease has gotten worse. Now even little trees aren't safe from me anymore.  :D  
Dave.

[KellyG]

Dave,
Do a search on here both have been used if I remember correctly on here. look under all its names.
Kelly

[wood carver 2]

Thanks Kelly. I did a search here and through my books- after I offered my opinion   .
Happily, both types grow here in Southern Ontario and both are bow woods. I may have to wait until deer season is over before harvesting any wood though. There are some tall, straight Hophornbeams scattered around one of my friends' best hunting areas. If I can muster the patience, I'll wait till spring so I can get the bark off more easily.
Have a safe journey home Kelly.
Dave.

[beetlebailey1977]

A quick tip with the American hornbeam....spilt it and get the bark off quick.  I hope it will pell off for you.  If you cant get it to peel it will be a chore to scrape it all off with the nooks and crannys.

[KellyG]

Thanks Dave and eric just had luck with slipping bark of hickory by rehydrating it might work there too.