There are many osage trees in my area, but they are all stunted, bent and full of knots and brushy limbs. Most look more like a bush than a tree. Where can I get a good stave? Thanks!
Find where older trees have been cut or blown over and harvest the sucker growth. Anything 2" or over will make a hunting weight bow.
Every limb looks like a rainbow with lots of tiny limbs shooting off them. Can I straighten one and make it work? Thanks Pat
I know mike mcguire sells stave at resonalable prices. Kustom king as well as pine hollow sell them as well. Don't forget your checkbook. I would also check if there are any fence post dealer in your area.
Look for good trees near creeks or other sources of water. Also look in stands of taller trees. The osage will grow taller searching for sunlight.
If you have a lot of osage around but are short on stave material, look for 36"+ pieces that you can splice together to make a stave. I prefer billets to staves as you get more consistent wood.
Come to MOJAM in July.
Plenty of good osage staves there... :)