Bow woods native to Illinois?

[BHTGdogs]

Making a lam bow and want to use woods from my state, what are some woods I can use?

[Tim Nuss]

Osage and Hickory are two that come to mind.

Tim

[smilinicon]

walnut, locust, elm, ash, sasafras, mulberry, maple, along with Tim's two. Many to choose from.

Cary

[Big'n]

How about Hedge or........I mean Osage

[pronghorn23]

Red OaK, mulberry..

[BHTGdogs]

What would you guys think of osage mulberry and sassafras?

[bayoulongbowman]

bois de Arc...osage...

[Fletcher]

You can add cedar and cherry to the list.  All are good.  Sassafras and mulberry make great limb laminations and black locust is one my favorites.  Osage is strong, hard and heavy and makes a great riser as well as limbs. Have fun and make sure to post the pics.    

[david wilton]

hmm i dont know where to start many good woods but everyone else has named alot

[BHTGdogs]

I will post picks but it will be awhile as I have to buy the tools first. Thanks guys.

[Rick Perry]

I didnt think osage was "native" to Illinois ???????   ..........  most of it was imported and planted in fence rows during the
"dust bowl days "   ...... ?????????

[Fletcher]

Rick, you are right.  It is "native" to the AR, LA, East TX area.  It was imported and grown in many areas to make natural fences as the cattle wouldn't wander thru it.  Many of our hedgrows started this way.  We sure grow some pretty nice stuff here in IL now.

Justin, don't let this stop you from using osage.  We can probably find you a piece of Illinois osage to use.

 
 

[BHTGdogs]

It grows here thats good enough for me. Im really excited to get started I will be buying my bandsaw next week then Im making my press and my hot box. Any tools Ill need for sure?

[kennym]

A belt/disc sander is sure handy.Going wood lam or glass and wood lam?
I posted the easiest and best way to build a form last winter . I'll see if i can find it.....

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=054410

[BHTGdogs]

Think Im going glass and wood