osage orange sapling

[Stump73]

Got an  osage orange sapling green today its 60" long, about 1 1/2" @ one end and 1 1/4 @ the other. Could i get about a 40 or 45 lb  bow out of it? I painted the ends. My next question is how long does it need to dry be fore i do any thing to it or can I start shaping being green?  Thanks Mike      

[frank bullitt]

Mike, yes, with that size, it is attainable.

I would build a bend thru the handle or D style, profile.

As for curing, leave the bark on and seal the ends. You could bring inside, basement or garage, for a month or so.

I personally, would pick the best side, few knots, straight looking bark, and remove the belly side with a drawknife. Take down to rough dimensions and seal the belly, and cure for another month or so.

Then you can remove, scrape the bark off, and work from there!

You could have a finished bow by spring!

Sapling, limb bows are some of my favorites!

Al Herrin, wrote of the Cherokee elders, making and hunting with limb bows of osage of short limbs! Have fun with it and let us know the outcome!

[Pat B]

Osage saplings and shoots make very good bows. Lots of fun to build too.
  My first one was a 2" pole that I band sawed into 2 staves. Both drew up into about 6" of reflex as they cured and were a bear to work with although I made a nice bow after removing some of the reflex.
  My latest pole was also sawn in half but I wrapped the halves back together with small wood spacers between to allow air circulation. They are apart now and stable. I haven't decided what to do with them yet. Might make a bow for an elk hunt this coming fall.

[Stump73]

Thanks!! Now I just gotta wait a month before I can do any thing with or see if Ican do anything