Does anyone have knowledge of a particular species of bamboo for arrow shafts? I queried a bamboo expert on the web and they suggested "Bambusa multiplex 'Riviereorum". This is a dwarf that has a solid culm, not hollow. Maybe it would be too heavy? I have the most wonderful climate for growing where I live and I want to see what I can grow.
Kevin
I use river cane or canebrake, which is what most cane arrows are made of.
I found this link that might help.
http://www.lewisbamboo.com/gigantea.html
If you can get the Japanese arrow bamboo. It's is great stuff.
Mike
River Cane, Cane (Arundinaria gigantea)
Description: A grasslike bamboo with short side branches and small leaves. Commonly seen along rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas throughout the Southeast. Its leaves often lack stalks (petioles) and the leaves are often deciduous in winter, especially in Zone 7.
Native Habitat: Grows from Maryland west to Missouri and south to Florida and Texas. Especially abundant in the Mississippi valley.
Size: There are two varieties of river cane. The most commonly seen variety is "switch cane" or subspecies tecta which rarely grows over 5 feet. However the larger variety gigantea can grow to 20 feet or more, with culms growing to about one inch in diameter. Before European settlement, some stands of cane grew to a much larger size. William Bartram mentions one grove on the Tombigbee River with culms 30 to 40 feet high and 3 or 4 inches in diameter.
Cold hardiness: Hardy to at least -10 degrees F. Plants from inland locations may be hardier than plants from coastal areas.
Culture: Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil.
Landscape use: Cane is a coarse plant that is probably most at home in naturalistic landscapes. A good plant for controlling erosion along stream banks. A much more attractive plant than its common exotic competitor, Chinese privet.
Other notes: The only bamboo native to North America, river cane was once grew abundantly in "canebrakes" throughout the Southeast. A good portion of the Southeast's best agricultural land was formerly occupied by canebrakes. This species is rarely available in commerce and usually has to be obtained by division of native stands.
Varieties and related species: None.
#4 of the Traditional Bowyers Bible
Thanks for the help. I have access to acres and acres of river cane where I am; but, it is difficult to get it stiff enough. It might be wimpy cane because it is from Kahleefornia.
I have seen some bamboo around that seems perfect, right diameter and nice and stiff. There is some growing at my dentist's office that is very tempting... ;)
I would sure like to know the scientific name of the "Japanese arrow bamboo"
Google it!! It comes right up.
Mike
Here's what I've used Kevin. Preference listed in order: Switch cane, bambusa, tonkin, river cane, Japanese and sasa bamboo. Bambusa and tonkin making the heaviest arrows.
But one thing I've noticed, even the same species grown in different areas will show a variation in growth structure. Like your Kahleefornia stuff :) .
Chris Cade has an article(part 1) in the newest edition of The Bowyers Journal. Lots of good info in Chris' article. Mickey's chapter in TBB4 is also a good source of info as his website.
Arundinaria sp. is the only native US cane. There are 3 specie of this cane; A. gigantia(river cane), A. tecta(switch cane) and the newly identified A. appalachiana(hill cane I think its called). All make good arrows but I prefer switch cane and hill cane because the nodes aren't as pronounced as with river cane. I have also used Bambusa multiplex(I don't know what sub species) and it makes an excellent arrow. The Bambusa I have access to is a clumping type bamboo with long internodes(12" in some cases), small center hole, very little deviation in roundness above the nodes and not a lot of taper to the shoots(culms). The culms of the Bambusa I use get to 12' to 15' long but no bigger in diameter that about 3/4". It would also make an excellent fishing pole.
Southern Cali would be a great place to grow bamboos. There is probably plenty of varieties around anyway in landscapes, etc.
Cane is a renewal resource. The life expectancy of most culms is 3 to 5 years and you want at least 2 year old culms for arrows so you have a continuous supply of arrow material without effecting the look or health of the stand of cane. Pat
I wish I knew more about actual species, cuz I go for common names a lot. From Thailand/Viet Nam there is a small, solid tropical species I would like to try. I have handled a big piece about 2" across, about as big as that type gets, and it seems great. It is available all over the web in smaller diameters, some even sanded a little.
They call it Tam Vong..
Jaap Koppedrayer is the man that you should talk to. He knows alot about bamboo shafting and was in the process of growing it the last time I talked with him. Most knowledgable person that I would know on the subject. kkoppedr@perth.net is his email address. dino