I was out hunting today and there are about 20 of these trees on the property I hunt. Are these osage, Im not 100% sure just want a second opinion. The green brain looking fruit are on the ground around them. If they are what would be the smallest diameter limb I could cut off these?

Yes that is Osage. As far as limb diameter I really don't know. It doesn't take much Osage for a bow. Dean

Looks like osage to me. Limb wood is not the best choice for bows. They can be pretty squirrly.  A 2" sucker, on the other hand will make a very good bow. Here is pone I'm just starting to work on...






Only the bark was scrapoed off. Sapwood still intact. This will easily make a bow in the 60# range.

Ive never seen osage bark look like that on the trees we have around here. The color looks right but the bark is never that thick and shaggy. But if there were horseapples layin on the ground around it then thats probably what it is. Ive never tried using a branch to build a bow but i have used some small trees around 4 inch diameter.

Ok thanks, I should be able to get a 2" to 4" peice off of one of them, I just cant chop any down. There about 20 of em all in the same area. I should have one cut by tomorrow, I'll post a pic of it.

Oh Yeah! There's a grove down the road from me that has bark on it just like that.

Looks like some older growth.

Yep, osage no doubt about it. I have cut more osage trees than I can remember with a wide variety of bark patterns and thickness including what you have in the picture.

Brian, definitely osage, looks the same as waht I get here in South Central PA....Dan

The middle pic I am not sure is osage but the top and bottom one sure is. A lot of other trees will grow with hedge.

Why not cut the whole tree?

Looks like the osage in my neck of the woods.

It is osage.

Limbs may or not be used for bow wood.

Limbs may have hidden wind checks inside or stress checks from heavy snow or ice.

Limbs will make bows but potentialy they may have unseen damages not discovered until a lot of work and dry time have been expended.

I like limb bows but you got to be ready for some wasted time and wood.

Normally, decent sized limbs have about a 50/50 ratio of whitewood to heartwood but, the smaller the limbs,,, the higher ratio of whitewood there is inside.

The main trunk is the best part for good bow wood.

Ok so here is what I came home with 68" long 6" wide. Now this piece has been there dead without bark for a few years will I have to let it season as long? There was no sap when I cut it and it seemed on the dry side. I wet the end so you could see the rings a bit better.

Brian, that looks like bad Osage. Maybe you should just ship that out to me:)

QuoteOriginally posted by Roy from Pa:
Brian, that looks like bad Osage. Maybe you should just ship that out to me:)

Lol, it probably will be after i butcher it.

Seal the ends with shellac, glue, or polyurethane.  You don't want the ends to check.  That has some nice growth rings on it.

Here is what I got so far. I think I can get 2 off the right side one. Boy did I put myself to work today.

Yep, there's a bow or two there.