Crepe Myrtel as a Bow Wood

[2fletch]

Anyone ever use this wood for a bow wood? I cut some this summer, and later used a piece of it as a mallet to cut some leather. After lots of use there was very little evidence of damage. I don't make bows anymore, but curious to know if anyone here has tried it.

[Pat B]

Yeah, Don. I've seen a few nice crepe myrtle selfbows and some pretty heavy weight. I, myself, have not made a bow from crepe myrtle.

[2fletch]

This wood surprised me with it's toughness. I cut down 4 trees to make room for other trees. I wish now that I knew then that this wood had promise. There were several trunk branches that would have been good for a self bow. It reminds me a little of Dogwood. Now that's a wood that makes Osage seem like Pine.

Pat B, if you ever get a photo of a Crepe Myrtle bow, I'd love to see it.

[two4hooking]

The shoots are always very straight also on mine.  Every year when I do my pruning I think about arrow shafts from them...

[Buck350]

Wow, interesting.  I never would have thought it would be that durable.  Anyone have any pics of said bows?