wood for arrow shaft question

[Stump73]

I have a viburnum bush that needs to be trimmed up. I was wondering? if it can be used for arrow shafts

[Stump73]

ttt

[Pat B]

Viburnum makes great shafting. There are many varieties of viburnum both native and cultivated. For any natural shoot shafting you want to use at least 2 year old growth. These will have small branches where leaves were last year. If they have only leaves along the shoots they will generally be too flimsey for a good arrow.
 When you cut the viburnum bundle them and give them at least a month to start drying before removing the bark or if the bark is remover too soon after cutting the shoots will check(drying cracks). The drying checks follow the grain of the shoots and are not necessarily detrimental to arrows but cosmetically most folks don't want to use them. I have made a few arrows that did check and they shoot as well as un-checked shoots.

[Stump73]

Thanks Pat! I was wanting to use something that I was growing in my yard. Now I'm thinking about growing bamboo or river cane, so I can have different options. Thanks again Mike

[Pat B]

Most bamboos and cane can be very invasive so plant it where you don't mind it spreading.  Red osier dogwood make a great landscaping plant also as well as great arrow shafts.

[Stump73]

I like the dogwood idea to.
Thanks, Mike