Locust ????????

[2treks]

I have never messed with much Locust for a self bow and only a few times for a laminated bow.

The farmer that owns the field around my place has given me permission to cut the trees near my house. They are in process of eradicating all trees on the farm I think. I wish they wouldn't and if I don't take it, they will bulldoze it and burn it.
I am pretty sure it is locust. Long brown bean pods. HUGE thorns and small leaves. I think we have 2 different kinds. one has tighter bark with thorns on the branches. The other has massive clusters of thorns all up and down the trunk and the limbs.
I think the later is Honey locust, not sure about the "clean" trunked tree.
Will it be good for self bows? Fence post? or should I just use it for heating the shop and house?

[Pat B]

Sounds like black locust(Robina psudoaccacia) with the thorns on the branches and the coarse bark and honey locust(Gleditsia triacanthos) with the clusters of thorns on the trunk. Both will make good bows but are two totally different woods. The black locust should be treated like osage and the honey locust like a whitewood.

[2treks]

Cool. Thanks Pat.
I have about 250yds of fence row setting there.
Any suggestions on getting past them thorny trunks?
CTT

[rockkiller]

Throw a couple Coors lights in there and then give Roy a call.  

[Pat B]

a 36" bar on your chainsaw?

[canopyboy]

Both types of locust also make excellent laminations (at least for long bows.)

[Roy from Pa]

Don't be skeered, Chuckie.. Get er done..  

[2treks]

That's what I was thinking Pat. Skin the off there with my saw.
The laminations are nice under clear glass and a frosty one is nice after any wood cutting endeavor.
Right Roy?

[SELFBOW19953]

The best way to deal with honey locust is to have someone else cut them and remove the thorns!!!

[rockkiller]

Originally posted by SELFBOW19953:
The best way to deal with honey locust is to have someone else cut them and remove the thorns!!! [/QUOT

Thats what I was trying to say.

[Hojo]

I often cut honeylocust for firewood.  I usually drop the tree, then slide an axe along the trunk to take the thorns off.  

I've had the thorns go right through the soles of my boots before.  I've heard they'll even puncture a tire, but I've avoided that thus far (knock wood).

[Roy from Pa]

Thats what I was trying to say.

YA ROCKY BUT I DIDN'T LIKE YER IDEAR MUCH SON..  

[Ricker]

I have cut the Black Locust trees down and gotten flat tractor tires from the thorns, so be careful where you drive Charlie.

[2treks]

Originally posted by Ricker:
I have cut the Black Locust trees down and gotten flat tractor tires from the thorns, so be careful where you drive Charlie.

I be stayin' well back with my pick-up.