Red Osier??

[hardwaymike]

Just wondering if anyone could show some pics of their Red Osier(sp?) arrows and maybe a couple of pics of what a Red Osier bush looks like. I have some thick stuff out back that is really bright red right now. When do you guys harvest this?

[hardwaymike]

TTT

[Pat B]

I don't have any pics of the red osier arrows I have made but it makes very good arrows.   The red osier will have bright red first and second year growth and that grays out as it gets older. The leaves(and branches) are opposite on the stalk. You want at least second year growth or older for decent arrows.

[hardwaymike]

I am going to take some pics in a little while. Can I send them to your email PatB to see if this is what I am looking for? Thanks, Mike.

[Pat B]

Sure Mike.

[hardwaymike]

TTT so I can find it after I get done taking pictures. Tried to get them last night but it didn't work out.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Post them here, too, if you could. I have some stuff spotted that I think is Red Osier, too.

[Jack Skinner]

Scattershot if you find it in CO I would be interested. All I seem to have around my place in WY is willow and chokecherry have been considering trying both.

[Pat B]

Choke cherry should work fine for arrows. Even though the Native Americans used some willow for arrows it is pretty flimsey for arrows.IMO.
  Do you guys have salt cedar in CO. It makes very good tough arrows. I kind of doubt you'll have red osier unless someone has it in their landscape.

[Jack Skinner]

Thanks Pat will try choke cherry as primary but the willow growing on the creek bottoms here are tougher than what I remember from growing up in NC. Will probably collect both, is now just before green up a good time to collect or fall?

[No-sage]

Here's some in various stages of completion:

 

 

[Pat B]

Jack, now is as good of a time as any just be sure you collect mature shoots, the ones with small branches(twigs) on them and not just leaf scars.
  If you have hazelnut there they make good arrows too.
  Also, don't scrape the bark off just yet. Wrap them in a bundle for about a month then scrape the bark. You may be able to begin straightening them then too.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Jack, these are decorative bushes that someone planted. To my knowledge it doesn't grow around here, either. We do have chokecherry, though, and as soon as the snow melts from the foothills I may go look for some.

[Jack Skinner]

Thanks Pat will have good project for Sat. If not still filled with snow I know a couple of good draws filled with choke cherry.

Thanks Scattershot was just hoping to find close source or red oser seeings how thats what everyone seems to use,  but I have to believe Pat there is no reason choke cherry shouldnt make good shafts.

Good looking arrows No-sage, wish WY let us use stone, only thing that has kept me from getting into primitive arrows, but I do make a mean steel trade point that will look good hefted on some primitive arrow shafts.

[hardwaymike]

Nice looking arrows No-Sage! My camera is being stupid and won't save the pics I have taken. I will try and get some of the bush with my cell phone later today.