So, the city of Fort Worth knocked down a major part (about 1/4) of one of the Bradford Pears in front of my house when they came by to collect the trash this morning. Since it was one my new fence I rushed out to get it off. Now its off I got to thinking about what to do with the wood. I read the Long Bow Build Along thread and thought that was pretty cool. So I've decided to keep some wood and use it to make a riser in the future, but I have some questions.

About how big a piece do I need to save?

and

Can you use the wood from a Bradford Pear to make a riser for a bow?

Thanks in advance

PEAR has a SG of .73 which is good it is also one of the true bow woods ( Info was from Paleoplanet )

As many branches as my tree loses, I would think it was brittle.  Maybe for a riser - doesn't seem to have much of a pretty grain...but then again, I could be wrong.  Will be intersting to see who says what about it.  A 2x3x18 should be plenty for most bows.

QuoteOriginally posted by SOS:
A 2x3x18 should be plenty for most bows.

Thats inches right?
Also is your measurement WidthxDepthxLength?

The lower trunk of Bradfords are almost always curly.  As with many fruit trees, drying can be tricky as they tend to check heavily, but it's sure worth a try.  Wax or paint the ends heavily and be patient for a couple years.  I've made atlatl foreshafts from curly Bradfords -- the wood is attractive in a quiet, understated way.

The way they break so easy in the wind I personally would not use it.I think they are more brittle than any other types of pear wood. jmo

This took awhile to find...

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05122003-124617/unrestricted/Farrellthesis0610.pdf

Page 39 shows...

callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) specifically the Bradford Pear.

with a 90MC has a specific gravity of .65

i say build the bow and have fun with it .tHATS WHAT TRAD BOWS ARE ALL ABOUT.

callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) specifically the Bradford Pear

Has a life of about 15 years, as it gets closer to the 15 is when it starts dropping branches.

You can always lam the riser also..