Those Darn Wood Borers

[ChristopherO]

I was working on some osage Christmas gifts last night after cutting up an osage trunk that had been sitting in my Sister's back yard for years.  Upon chopping off chunks for my projects and taking them to the sander this ugly fellow crawled out.  
 

All the osage I have harvested in the past was from live trees set aside to age whereas this particular tree was left outside since the BIL cut it.  First time I've encountered one of these pests.  Thought you might be interested in seeing the nemesis of the bow making craft.

By the way, I did save a nice long piece for a future self bow.  Can't let it all go into candle holders, can we.....

[Pat B]

Are you sure that is osage? It looks more like Black Locust and the grub isn't the typical osage borer. Have you gone into the wood any further? Might be some good wood below where the bore was.

[ChristopherO]

Absolutely sure it is osage and ,yes, it crawled out of one of the many holes.  This piece of wood isn'the being used for a bow but another project.  The holes will lend character, though. Wanted to post this to show what can be lurking inside our stashes of wood.

A couple years ago I picked up some wormy maple from a friend to make a fancy bow rack. I asked if it had been kiln dried to kill off any remaining larvae, of which he said yes.  After a few days of the lumber sitting in the warm house I noticed wood dust beneath a couple holes.  I promptly placed that stack in the hot box for some time at 140° to kill off what was still chewing on the wood.  Just something to keep our eye on.

[scrub-buster]

I pulled a borer worm out of an osage stave at the Tenn. Classic a couple years ago.  I toasted it over the fire and ate it.  I thought that was the best revenge for eating my bow wood.

[Pat B]

The cold beer helped didn't it Clint. I'm not sure if it was the amount of cold beer or that the beer complimented the flavor...or both.    

[scrub-buster]

No beer for me Pat.  I don't drink any alcohol.  Never have

[Pat B]

You mean you act like that sober?    

[scrub-buster]

Unfortunately, yes

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by Pat B:
You mean you act like that sober?      

Lol. Now I know how Clint gets so much damn work done!

[Pat B]

ain't that the truth. I have to drink to make myself work.    :rolleyes: