Mulberry stave

[hessian]

Good afternoon,
 
Would someone be able to help me locate a mulberry stave? I've looked around a bit but am coming up short. I appreciate the help.

Adam

[Mad Max]

It's going to be hard to find
http://www.harmanarchery.com/4_supplies.html

[Pat B]

Mulberry is excellent bow wood. Hope you can find some.

[Flem]

Should not be too hard to find where you live. Just need three items

[Pat B]

Where mulberry grows it should be everywhere. The birds eat the berries and deposit the seeds along fence rows.

[hessian]

Thanks guys! I think I’ll try searching the woods, make for a better build experience too if I can harvest it myself.

[Pat B]

Check woods edges and fence rows. Like I said, birds are probably more responsible for spreading mulberry trees.

[Mad Max]

Thanks guys! I think I’ll try searching the woods, make for a better build experience too if I can harvest it myself.

You will need to wait about a year for it to be dry enough to make a bow.

[Flem]

"You will need to wait about a year for it to be dry enough to make a bow."


Not if you do it Tim Baker style. Shape it to rough dimensions and it will dry very fast. You can even clamp to a form to dry, if you are looking for some curvature.

[YosemiteSam]

Here in CA's Central Valley, it grows everywhere in suburban yards.  And people cut it back yearly so, in theory, there should be a lot of opportunity.  In practice, it's almost impossible to find a good piece before somebody hauls it off.  Most of the trimmed branches only have 1-2 year's growth anyway.

One of these days, I'm sure I'll get something worth shaping.  Now if I'm a worthy enough bowyer for the task is another matter altogether.

[Phil-D]

Where in NJ are you?  How far are you willing to travel?