tree identification

[gringol]

I think it would help alot of us newbies if some of the more experienced bowyers could post pics to help us ID bow wood. I'm thinking a couple good shots of leaves and bark for each species.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I bought a $10 tree book in color. It rode with me for a while until I figured out what was what, and until I realized if aint osage it aint bow wood!

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Pearl I thought you was a big hackberry fan?

 I like using different bow woods but nothing beats a good piece of osage or yew that's for sure.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I do like my hackberry, but osage is still thee best. Ash is just about to fall right off my list and out my shop door!

[okie64]

I did the same as PD and bought a tree id book at BAM.
 PD, only thing I still use ash for is lightweight kids bows. Hadnt had much luck makin bows over 50# with it. You might be talkin up that BL after you build a bow or two from it.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

only thing I ever use ash for is firewood.

[H8nonCubs]

The tree book is a great idea. go to your local conservation dept and pick one up. I think i only paid about six bucks for mine and like pearl said keep it in your vehicle for easy ref.
 Comes in handy

[mwosborn]

Take it you guys don't like ash?  I am a beginner and have only used ash on a couple of bows with "mediocre" results.  What specifically makes it a "bad" choice.  Thanks.

Oh - and on the Tree ID - check out the following site.  Not a bad site and the booklet is not bad either.

 http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/whatTree.cfm?ItemID=E6A

[red hill]

Pretty good website, Mitch.
My first attempt at a traditional bow was years ago with ash. Made a beautiful lookin' bow, at least for a minute! Didn't survive the first shot.

Ash burns hot and fast. Rather have red oak.
 
The tree i.d. book is probably your best bet. Like others have said, keep it handy.
 
Maybe some of the older gents had an agri class like I did back in school.  We had to identify the leaves, bark, fruit, and uses of at least forty trees that were native to Arkansas.  I still remember most of the trees we tracked down. That was one of my favorite assignments of all, back in the day.

Stan

[WestTexan]

Found this one last night....been lookin to find out what type a tree that I found yesterday while looking for a big Mule deer that never showed.
 http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/listOfTrees/
Bluewood from what I can tell is what I found...new one on me,never even heard of the tree.

[okie64]

Originally posted by mwosborn:
Take it you guys don't like ash?  I am a beginner and have only used ash on a couple of bows with "mediocre" results.  What specifically makes it a "bad" choice.  Thanks.

Oh - and on the Tree ID - check out the following site.  Not a bad site and the booklet is not bad either.

  http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/whatTree.cfm?ItemID=E6A  

My experience with ash is that it is very weak in compression. Its fairly strong in tension but if it does break its usually a pretty violent explosion. Ash usually has lots of pithy earlywood in it which is not good for bowbuilding, kinda like having a bunch of weak laminations of wood sandwiched between the good stuff.

[mwosborn]

Thanks for the info on the ash.  Have some other woods drying that I am looking forward to trying.

Mitch