black gum

[nc recurveman]

Has anyone ever tried making a self bow from black gum? It's everywhere around here, and baby when it dries it's tougher then your grandma.....thoughts?

[Osagetree]

It may be too brittle?

[Pat B]

I have heard of folks making black gum bows but never done one myself. It has interlocking fibers like sweet gum and can be a bear to split. I think I'd look for a more time tested bow wood. Eastern NC should have lots of different woods to use.