What tree is this? More importantly, is there make a decent bow locked up in there somewhere?
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/gringol/IMAG0085.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/gringol/IMAG0086.jpg)
That looks like English Laurel to me. It is a true Prunus like cherry, plum, peach, etc so it should be good bow wood. I have never tried it.
I think I may have to try it. It's sort of a weed around here, so if it works I will have lot's of staves to play with. When I do try it, should I treat it like a white wood or chase a ring?
I have heard of someone using Austrailian Pine for self bows, there should be a few of them near you... its not really a pine..
There isn't much Australian pine here, but I have seen alot of is further south, especially on the edge of the Everglades. If I ever get a chance to cut one down I'll do it.
Yes, treat it like a whitewood. Those berries you see are attractive to birds and the resulting seed/fertalizer combo gives it a good start in the wild or around neighborhoods. You should be able to peel the bark and not have to chace a ring. I think I'd saw it in half lengthwise or remove wood from the belly side like I did with this peach sapling...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/peaches004.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/peaches003.jpg)
...and bind it to a form to dry...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/peaches001.jpg)
That's pretty cool, Pat. Thanks for the info.