2021 what did you do today?

[Pat B]

Happy Birthday, Roy.    You aren't getting older, you are getting better.(?)....maybe. 

[Buemaker]

I did not change design on this one. .002 taper.

[Longcruise]

Happy birthday Roy.  Take it easy on the light.

[Crooked Stic]

Happy birthday ole Roy.
You bout 3 mos. Older 
Dem parts working prolly slower now days tho.

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks guys, yup things work a little slower.

[Pat B]

...but at least they still work!   

[Bowjunkie]

Happy Birthday Roy!

[Bowjunkie]

I had to cut up an apple tree today over at mom's that had fallen down. This is where I grew up and this was my grandfathers orchard. I couldn't count the number of deer I've seen under these trees over the last half century. Trees are almost a hundred years old and have been dying off. I'm trying to salvage some of this apple trunk for risers or something. Very heavy, and kind of pretty. Anybody ever use apple wood in a bow riser?

I'd like to get a big enough piece from one of the other trees to make lams for a glass bow, and maybe selfbow billets.

By the way, I've been grafting pieces of these apple trees to semidwarf rootstock and planting them here at my place. Kinda keeping grandpa's orchard alive.

[Buemaker]

Apple wood is a beautiful hard wood, but tend to check badly. I would seal it with glue or wax and dry very carefully.
I once boiled it in water and that made it stable, but took away some of the beautiful color. But to answer your question, I have not used it in a riser, only to make nice knife handles. Polishes like glass.

[Bowjunkie]

Thanks for the heads up Bue. I sealed the ends with shellac and left it in my shop with the air conditioner and dehumidifier running! Yikes! I'm going to go back out there right now, seal the entire things, and move them to the garage. Thank you sir.

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks Jeff.

I have my eye on a pear tree here in the yard.

[Bowjunkie]

The color of this stuff is really cool, every piece is different, but it'll fade as it loses moisture. There's even some curl in a couple pieces.

[Shredd]

  WoW...  Nice stuff...  If what Bue said is true...  If that stuff was live and wet would keep that stuff out side, sheltered from the rain or in your garage with no air control for at least 6 months or down to 20% MC before you start dropping humidity levels...  Maybe just seal the ends instead of whole piece...

[Bvas]

Apple can vary drastically from one tree to the next.  But most Ive encountered is tougher than s**t. I’ve only used small pieces as ascents, but bet it would make a nice tough riser.

Just remember to save your scraps for the smoker. Adds excellent flavor to almost all meats 

[bigbob2]

From my very limited experience, I believe most fruitwoods will make a good self bow too.

[Bowjunkie]

Yes, it's very hard and heavy. Ripping it lengthwise with my saw was a bugger.

You know it Bvas, initially, that was my goal, remove the down tree for mom, and save as much as I could for the smoker. But I started thinking about its use for bows when I saw the color and density of the trunk.

There's part of another apple tree there that I've been eyeing up for a while. It's about 8 or 10" diameter and at least billet length, maybe full length staves. I'll probably cut it soon.

[Flem]

Thats some beautiful Apple wood It's one of the few hardwoods that I can harvest locally and I use it quite a bit. Mostly like Bvas stated, because my experience with it mirrors Bue's.
I know Jim Kneaves used to make bows with it. Might be a good candidate for stabilization.

[Roy from Pa]

Welp, looks like an apple tree down in the field is gonna get a trimming:)

Jeff, main trunk and or thicker limbs ok?

[Mad Max]

I got some walnut 24" long logs and sealed  the ends, cut into riser blanks and stacked with sticks in between and used bar clamps to keep the for warping.
something like this.

[Roy from Pa]

That's awesome, Mark..