Black Walnut?

[BUCK-EYE]

I have some dead black walnut trees in the back of my yard. I would like to use some of this wood for a handle on a recurve I want to make. How do I know if its ok to use? The trees still have the bark on. Thanks Don

[pintail_drake2004]

do you know how long the tree has been dead? trees (certain species) can be slavaged for timber for many years after they die so long as insects and decay have not set in. Got some pic? how did it die? Lighting will cause decay from the inside even if you dont see any sign on the outside. Juglans nigra is a hearty species and can withstand alot of abuse from the elements and mother nature. If you just dont know cut a section and see if it has decent grain, texture, color, etc. if it has been dead a while you may not have to do any drying and can go ahead and start working it.

[Ric Anderson]

Black Walnut is a beautiful wood and can be used in a riser.  It is advisable however to run an accent stripe or two down through it however, to increase its strength since walnut isn't especially strong.

[Lookinforlunkers]

I ordered my first longbow today.  I chose a black walnut and cocabola(spelling?) w/maple between for a riser.  Hope it turns out nice.  The boyer said the cocabola would add some mass weight to the riser.

[BUCK-EYE]

I`m not sure how long the trees have been dead. I`m going out in the morning to cut some up. I`ll let you guys know how it looks. No pic`s I`m still trying to figure outhow to get them to Photobucket. Don

[BUCK-EYE]

Well I just got back in from cutting the wood.(The wind about blew me over) I had some last minute Chistmas shopping to do. The tree was leaning on another tree,So it wasnt laying on the ground. I thin it down to about 2`by 5". The wood itself looks in pretty good shape. I dont know alot about how it should look though. Ric I will put a accent stripe down though it if this works thank you. I will try to post some pic`s but dial up take so long to load them. Any help on what I`m looking for would be helpful Thanks Don.

[Jedimaster]

I don't think this will be of much value to you, but last year I read an article on high-end european walnuts that are used in the luxury firearm industry. I don't remember all the details but some of the walnut "harvested" is dead for an extended period of time. It appears that some species of walnut are illegal to cut down. Others are prefered to age in their natural environment. There is a market in poor regions for harvesting blow-downs on the side of mountains that have been dead for some time.
My point? If you can stock a high-end H&H with wood from dead trees, you ought to be able to get a decent riser.

[Matt E]

Don't over look the stump.Walnut roots have the most beautiful grain and are prised by those that make gun stocks.

[Diamondback59]

man don  wish i wAS IN UR SHOES  IF YOU HAVE A WHOLE TREE TO WORK  WITH  WHY NOT TAKE THE TIME  TO GET THE STAVES OUT OF IT ?? AND NOT JUST A LIL RAISER ,,, IF YOU NOTICE  WHAT A WALNUT STAVE S BRING ON E BAY LATLEY  SOME OF EM ARE OUT SELLIN OSAGE  A LIL WORK AND YOUVE GOT A POT A GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW ! THAT WILL BRING YA A LOT OF JOY  IF YOU DO DECIDE TO WORK SOME OF EM  ENJOY !