I am looking around my property for local trees to harvest for making bows. I ran into a couple small stand of what I have been taught are "Juniper." I live in the southeastern edge of lower Michigan and after a quick "Wiki" search I ran across 2 types of Juniper that are in my local...I assume both would be acceptable sources for bow making but I'll gladly take any additional help in identification and thoughts on its application based on the identification.
Here are the two species with a couple pics:
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_red_cedar)
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniperus_communis)
(I believe it is this species)
Here are a handful of pics I snapped a short while ago...
My Album (https://picasaweb.google.com/BlackRiverRaptors/Juniper?feat=directlink)
Many thanks,
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Lee Slikkers
Blackriverraptors@gmail.com
616-318-7366
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PatB could probably tell us. Mybe he'll chime in today?
I have seen lots of very nice Juniper veneers on glass bows, but have never seen a Juniper self bow, or lam'ed wood bow. Not saying its impossible, just never seen one. Find a nice straight hickory and you will have bow wood for life.
Juniper is best backed with sinew, yet self bows are possible with the right design. Shorter flat bows are your best bet with Juniper.
Here are a few pics of a Juniper self bow I made a few years ago.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_0546-1.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_0607.jpg)
As far as ERC I have not had much experience, but have heard that is needs to be backed.
Keenan,
Now that's a bow!
What works better, main trunks or branches?
As soon as the snow melts I'm going to cut some juniper and it seems that It's easier to find clean bow length branches. Also, all the juniper that I have cut here is mostly sapwood. A 12" diameter tree will have about 3" of heartwood, is this normal? It is also very thin ringed with about 50 rings per inch.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Keenan, what are the specs on that bow, NTN, width at fades, tips? Where there a fair amount of knots or pins that you had to work around in that bow? (it's a stunner btw)
I actually just got back inside from downing one of these ERC's, split on the bandsaw and sealed the ends. It is one SEXY colored wood in the heart...I'll see how they dry and maybe I can work one of the staves before too long.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_neJ--vb8EaA/TU9T51iLVZI/AAAAAAAAAcU/qc2gDe725qk/s640/CIMG0509.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_neJ--vb8EaA/TU9T7Yj0INI/AAAAAAAAAcU/1tc3wwD9F1Q/s640/CIMG0511.JPG)
Many thanks,
Lee that bow was about 58" NTN if I remember right and I do remember that it had 26 pin knots. It was around 1.5" wide at the fades.
I think what you have there is ERC. not Juniper. Hope that helps
Actually, Eastern Red Cedar is a Juniper. Barb (I forget her last name, but she hangs around with Ron Youngblood) made a beautiful English Longbow out of ERC at Gary Davis' place one winter. I hear it really shines as a bow wood when paired with a sinew backing on a flatbow.
John
p.s. I hope you get to use that tillering string soon!
That is one sweet looking bow there Lee, you did well sir. I do love the color in the staves, should make one great looking bow.
Sorry but I didn't make that bow...I'd be amazed if my 1st dozen tries will even resemble one but I am looking forward to the learning curve.
Here are some pics of the Juniper tree/log after I band-sawed them in half. It appears there will be plenty of pins/knots for this newbie to work around and figure out but I will admit I am mesmerized by the color of this wood.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_neJ--vb8EaA/TVGzz8ALuwI/AAAAAAAAAf4/cKA5OfzQxyY/s640/CIMG0512.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_neJ--vb8EaA/TVGz4qsO-iI/AAAAAAAAAf4/I4MGuMLuEpo/s640/CIMG0513.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_neJ--vb8EaA/TVGz6wR429I/AAAAAAAAAf4/0VZf6RX1P1I/s640/CIMG0514.JPG)
Enjoy!
That looks like ERC to me. ERC is a juniper(Juniperur virginiana) and I'm not familiar enough with the other junipers to make more than an educated guess.
I bet the glass guys would love it if you cut them into lams. That is just plain pretty wood.