citrus wood?

[Wandering Archer]

Does anyone know if you can use citrus wood to make bows? I just trimmed my lemon tree and got 3 fairly straight pieces of 2-3" logs about 5.5" feet long.

As I understand it, wood from a lemon tree isn't "lemonwood",so I'm curious if anyone has ever made a bow from citrus wood. If so, does it need to be backed?
I'm thinking I'd like to find someone to make a couple youth bows out of them if possible, for my daughters, and maybe do a partial trade for whatever is left.

What do you guys think? Is it worth spending the money on, or should I just use it as firewood?

Also, is it best to dry it out, or should I find someone to make them while they are still green?

P.S. I don't have the time or the skillz to make them myself, so save your breath. I would love to if I had the time, but that's not possible at this point in my life.

[mikkekeswick]

A stave HAS to be seasoned to make a finished bow from it.
Yes any fruit wood will make a bow.
No reason to back them unless you've damaged the wood.
You should seal the ends straight away with paraffin wax, wood glue, paint or similar.

[Pat B]

I heard of a few sour orange bows from Florida. The best way to find out is to make one...and I didn't use any breath typing this.    :D

[fujimo]

dunno...still...holding...mine...   :mad:

[Wandering Archer]

alright, thanks guys.
I'll seal them and let them sit and try and find someone to make something for me.

You might not have used any breath Pat, but I bet your fingers are tired from all that extra typing...  

[Pat B]

Nick, at least split them in half ad seal the ends.

[fujimo]

cool leatherwork- very neat!