Yellow Poplar?

[josef2424]

Hey guys,
  With the recent bad weather in Georgia, a big yellow poplar tree fell in my yard (luckily not my house). And like most of us I dont want ALL the wood to turn to mulch. So I was wondering if yellow poplar is a wood that would be OK to make a bow out of.
           Thanks,
                JOE

[Pat B]

Not for bows but makes very good arrows.

[nidrinr]

Arrows yes, but for bows no.

[UnderControl16]

good strong arrows (shot them at rocks up north while going for distance and they didn't break) but you'll never be able to make a bow out of it, i've tried a few times and failed.

[josef2424]

Darn.

[deadpool]

I have made a poplar bow before with ok success....lasted about 50-60 shots till the back started to pop up a bit....its not that its impossible...it's just that your chances of making a good functional bow out of it that will last you a good while is low

[UnderControl16]

Originally posted by deadpool:
I have made a poplar bow before with ok success....lasted about 50-60 shots till the back started to pop up a bit....its not that its impossible...it's just that your chances of making a good functional bow out of it that will last you a good while is low

What did you make the backing out of?

Usually it is better to go with a higher specific density...

[Broke another one]

If you try to make a bow make sure that its long (like 76" +), wide (2" +) and backed. It'll last you longer than if you tried to make one with no backing and height and width of a hickory.