Nice bow, Pat. The tiller looks good. I can't understand why it chrysalled in that spot. Jawge

Cool stuff, Pat! You sure make some neat bows.  I really like that cherry bark backing...must make great camouflage.  Matt

Thanks Joe. I've been thinking about another. You may hear from me soon. Have you seen the bark used with the moss and lichens left on. Seems to hold up fine.
 Thanks George. I think it is because the wood had been cut less than 2 months before I built the bow. Even though it felt dry and acted like a dry stave, it was too "young" for the task.
 Thanks Matt. The cherry bark does add quite a bit of P-zaz!       Pat

Pat, I really like the cherry bark backing.  Does it add any strength to a bow or is more for camo/looks?  How is it harvested and applied?  Dan

Dan, I use the bark as a decorative backing but because of it's consistency, I wouldn't doubt if it added a bit of extra weight. The bark is usually harvested from dead trees and it grows around the tree instead of longitudinally so larger diameter trees are necessary for longer strips. Under the mosses, etc. the bark surface is a beautiful, shiny coppery color that most folks use on their bows.
  The western Natives used this bark as bindings and decorations on bows, arrows and other items. Pat

Thanks for the info.  One last question, what species of cherry is the bark from?  Here in PA we have mostly black cherry which gets a very rough bark on trees above 3-4" in dia.  We do have a few of what I refer to as choke cherry that does not get the rough scales and have seen some as large as 12 - 18 inches in dia. The fruit on these trees are much larger than the black cherry and some what sweeter in taste.  I assume this is what you are using for the backing.  It also is very coppery, almost clear.  I'm currently working on a mulberry stave that I nicked the tops of a few pin knots when chasing the growth ring, would this be an acceptable backing for this bow, and what glue do you use to bond it?  Ok, thats more than one question.   Dan

Dan, I don't know what specie of Prunus it is. I do know it is not black cherry(Prunus serotina). Choke cherry sounds right but depending on where you live that common name could be any of a few different cherries. This particular cherry bark came from the Pacific North West. We have a similar cherry growing here but at higher altitudes along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  The first bow I backed with cherry bark I used 2ton epoxy because that is what was recommended by the guy that sent it to me. This time I used TBIII. I believe that is what Joe(Klink) told me to use. He sent me this bark.      Pat

Pat, again thanks for all the info.  I plan to post some pics of my progression on this mulberry stave, once I figure out how to post pics.

I just figured that out myself after many years here on TG.  One word! PHOTOBUCKET!!!

Beautiful bow and ingenious use of materials (once again) !

Thanks snakewood. I enjoy playing with fun stuff and natural materials are the best. It's hard to beat Mother Nature.    Pat

Yes, and there's alot of snakes crawling around out there that are glad to see those backings !

I LIKE it!  Nice job..

you make some sweet looking bows and I'll bet they shoot great also. Nice work

Wow that is about as cool as it gets!!

Thanks guys.     Pat

Great bow, Pat.  I am glad I looked here, because I did not see this one on the PA site.  I love the bark, the tips, and the tiller.  Well done, sir.
Dan

Thanks Dan. It was posted in late summer on PA.
 Hope to see you again at Pappy's in May. I'll bring this bow along with me.    Pat

Funny, Pat, as I just reread the chapter of on "Other Backings" written by John Strunk in the TTB this morning.  That you this post has me thinking about trying this idea in the near future.  
I, like the fella from Pa, have quite a bit of black cherry available.  I am wondering if the large flaky scales were scraped off if it would work?  I may have to harvest some to see.  I'm sure it won't look like what you have there, though.  
Again, beautiful bow.

Christopher, I don't think black cherry bark will work. I believe it is too brittle. The choke cherry bark is very strong. The NW Natives use it for all sorts of bindings. John Strunk has made some beautiful bows with cherry bark backing.     Pat