Question regarding types of wood

[Ray091]

Hope this is an OK post in this forum.

I have been told that the Pacific Northwest Walnut Tree is not used for bows or arrows but was wondering if someone can tell me if it is usable for anything or should I just burn it when I cut it down.

I have a walnut with 4 trunks coming out of the base. Not sure exactly what type of Walnut it is but I am located in western Washington near Seattle.

The trunks vary in diamiter from about 10 inches up to 13 inches and each is about 30 feet tall.

Was wondering who to talk to about saving or burning the wood?

[soopernate]

I am one of those who says you never know until you try.  When in doubt I would probably treat it like a white wood.  Cut it...split it...peel the bark and seal the back to prevent checking use that as the back of your bow rather than chasing into rings or heartwood. I build backed and board bows mostly so perhaps others will chime in with advice as well.

[Roy from Pa]

Use it for something, I wouldn't just burn it yet.

Heck send some to soopernataley above, he only makes 25 pound bows, so it should work out for him:)

[PEARL DRUMS]

I say split up 4-5 staves and let them dry. Then see what happens. Next time the question is asked you will have the answer!

[soopernate]

Now now now....how did I drop from 45 to 40 to 25 pounders?  Seems like everytime Roy mentions me I get a little more sissified.  I am going to have to figure out what I can do to improve myself I suppose...more gym time? Eat roadkill? Drink Coors light?  But seriously another idea would be to dry it for and cut limb veneers for under clear glass....or risers.

[Roy from Pa]

That's what I would do Nate..

[jvermast]

Originally posted by soopernate:
Drink Coors light?  

Definitely not this to man up...

Signed,

A Canadian

   :D

[Pat B]

Molson?

[LittleBen]

Isn't claro walnut from the northwest? That makes beautiful guitars. Bet if makes awesome risers and veneers as Nate said. Can't remember what other walnut I that area. Split staves, cut veneers..... Do it all!

[soopernate]

Ewwwww....for the record I cannot stand Coors or any light beer.  Molson isnt bad...but give me a Fat Tire, Black Widow, or Guinness and I am happy. Right now its Shock Top either Raspberry wheat or Pumpkin Spice wheat that has my attention...OMG, that does sound sorta sissyish come to think of it.

[2treks]

Originally posted by soopernate:
Ewwwww....for the record I cannot stand Coors or any light beer.  Molson isnt bad...but give me a Fat Tire, Black Widow, or Guinness and I am happy. Right now its Shock Top either Raspberry wheat or Pumpkin Spice wheat that has my attention...OMG, that does sound sorta sissyish come to think of it.

GOODNIGHT MAN!!! I would rather drink from a horse trough than mention the words Raspberry and BEER in the same breath.
Punkin spice? OMG is right.

The walnut sounds cool tho.I would love to know what it is. Some of that stuff right purty and worth a little coin,if not for bowmaking then for fine woodworking Lets have a look at it.
I think that even a bland,run-of-the mill walnut tree will yeild some nice bow making material.Talking about for glass laminated bows here.


CTT

[Roy from Pa]

Ah geeze Nate.......  Drink real beer son and leave those berry flavored drinks for the girls:)

[soopernate]

I feel so sheepish...

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Check out this post

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=007189

 Do a search as well. Some one built a cedar bow awhile back that was posted as a Juniper bow. Cedar is a juniper I believe.

[dmikeyj]

Eastern Red Cedar is a Juniper- Juniperus Virginiana.

Real Cedar is of genus Cedrus, and are from the Middle East.  Western Red Cedar is Thuja Plicata, of a different genus from the Junipers.  Juniperus Occidentalis is Western Juniper, but sometimes called Western Red Cedar.

All of them share the aromatic wood though, so...

(I only know this because I have been learning up, I have 30 or so ERC trees in my yard)    :D    


As for the original post- cut it up and see what you can do with it.

Mike

[ordcorpdw]

Brew your own and avoid the mass marketed swill....I am sure all of you as craftsmen could appreciate a well crafted brew. I agree with give it a go. Maybe it won't work....but maybe it might. Good luck.