Indiana Mulberry

Shakes.602 · September 14, 2011, 08:34:00 AM

I happened upon about an 8 ft. Length of Pretty Straight Mulberry Tree that was hit by Lightning and the Whole tree got taken down. I think I can get 3 to maybe 4 Good Staves out of it!

Any Pros, Cons, Dos, or Donts for making a Stave or 4 out of this Wood?? Got the Wood, now...... Not Sure WHAT to do Next folks!!

I figured Anything to Use a Tree that ends up as Purple Birdsh_t on your Vehicle or Side of Your White House is a Good Thing!!

broketooth · September 14, 2011, 08:52:00 AM

i would split it to see what the heart wood looks like. if its been struck by lightning it may be burnt on the inside. you will know what i mean as soon as you see it. in my experience with trees that have been struck by lightning, most has been worth nothing but to use for firewood. rv

Shakes.602 · September 14, 2011, 09:20:00 AM

Oh the Burnt Part

was Clear over on the Other half of the tree!! Sorry 'bout the Confusion. I did get some good Campfire/Weenie Roastin' Wood out of the Crappy Stuff!

The HeartWood Looks GREAT!! he was splitting some of the Shorter pieces Yesterday, and I was Drooling all over Myself!! My Question is, What do I do with it now? Never had a Log I could get a Stave or 2 out of Before, so this is ALL New Area for Me!! I will try to get some Pics posted too!!
Didnt know if I should just Wax the Ends, Split it into staves, or What?? I am Sooooo Lost!!

Dan Landis · September 14, 2011, 02:45:00 PM

Several options, Split the staves as you would any other wood and seal the ends real good, treat the bark with an insecticide and let it dry. You can also peel the bark, remove the sapwood and seal the back so that it dries a little quicker. The other option would be to chase a ring, rough out a bow leaving the tips real wide, seal the back and ends. Will dry in a few months this way if stored in a warm area with ventilation. I have one ready to go now that I roughed out early this spring.....Dan

Osagetree · September 14, 2011, 09:40:00 PM

I read once somewhere that some Native Americans prized such wood stricken by the lightening bolts.

mwosborn · September 14, 2011, 10:47:00 PM

What Dan said...and...

Depends upon how much time/work you want to put in now. The mulberry I worked was tuff as heck. The sapwood comes off pretty hard, but if done it will dry faster with little chance of insect damage if kept protected.

Leavin the bark on will be easier now, but the sapwood will need to be removed eventually. Bark on might result in insect damage.

Good luck.

Pat B · September 14, 2011, 10:48:00 PM

Treat it like osage but make your bows about 10% bigger in all directions.
With mulberry you can use some sapwood(if it is sound) on the back. Makes a nice contrast in colors. Most folks take it down to a good ring of heartwood for their bows.

Shakes.602 · September 16, 2011, 01:17:00 PM

It LOOKS a LOT like "Osage Orange" to Me!! I about Crapped myself when he told me "I wish I had known Sooner, I burnt about 15 pieces about the Size you got, or Bigger Around."

:eek: :eek:
So, question still is: Stave it? Leave it but Bug Spray it until I can devote the Time to Really Work on it? My Back is givin' me Fits with this Crazy Indy Weather, and I am kind of at a LOSS as to what to do so I dont RUIN a Fine Piece of Lumber??
I have it standing in my garage, with the Temps between 40 this Morning to 60 later, supposedly. And I have Not a Clue What to do with the LOG?? I dont have the Wedges now to Split it into the Staves, and from the Sound of it, if I cant get right on it, it might just be better off in the Log Form its in?? It IS Indoors, and in a Standing position, until told Otherwise by You fine Sages!! I have some Pictures, but i cant seem to get them to Photobucket due to a Technical Difficulty on MY END!! :mad: SOON to be Posted, I Promise!!
Osage, ya got my Curiosity Up, Why did the Natives Prefer Lightning Struck trees?? Something Spiritual I assume?? Lord knows, i need all the Help I can get!!

Shakes.602 · September 16, 2011, 01:47:00 PM

Well Folks, as far as the Pictures go, this is the Best I can do so far! I havent figured out HOW to Paste a Pic to the Message Yet. Have been on TradGang since 2004= Sloooooow Learner

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_05.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_04.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_06.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_03.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_02.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/arrowmaker62/Lightning%20Struck%20Mulberry%20Log%20for%20Staves%20and%20Bows/Mulberry911_01.jpg

Note: Shovel for Size Comparison?? Best I could think of on Short notice.

KellyG · September 16, 2011, 02:28:00 PM

looks like you might bet a stave or two out of that stuff.

Stiks-n-Strings · September 16, 2011, 11:01:00 PM

Shakes,

Are you comining to Jackson Washington? If so bring it with you and I will help you get it split and roughed and sealed.

I read something also about the natives prizing lighting struck trees for bow wood. I would think it would be like using a piece of super fast heat treated stuff. I assume the lighting strike would change the properties of the wood to make it better.

Shakes.602 · September 18, 2011, 08:31:00 AM

Not going to make it to the Hunt this year My Friend. If I was, I would. Thank Ya for the Offer!!

John Hodgson · September 20, 2011, 07:41:00 PM

Take a look at this link--
http://www.murraygaskins.com/mulberry.html

Mulberry is a relative of Bois d'arc (Osage Orange)but said to be easier to split and work with. I've been thinking about finding a mulberry stave to work up a bow.

Shakes.602 · September 24, 2011, 11:21:00 PM

THANK YOU JOHN!! Its Much Appreciated!! My neighbor burns wood in the Winter, so he snags all the Downfall after Our T-Storms around here, I saw what he was working with, and I almost Fainted looking at the Heart & Sap Wood!! :eek:
When I asked him if I could have a Chunk about 8" around and as tall as I am, he said, "Like This?" as he pulled it from the Trailer!! "PERFECT!!" Its Good to be Nice to the Neighbors sometimes!! Pretty Good Fella!!

Shakes.602 · September 24, 2011, 11:26:00 PM

OOPS!! 'Nother Question: Should I Strip ALL the Bark Off ASAP?? Or is it ok to do it as I work? This is a True New Start-From-Scratch Bow Project for Me!! I was Reading in the "Traditional Bowyers Bibles", and I couldnt Find the Answer to M'Question.

Thanks for Your Help & Patience Folks!!

Pat B · September 25, 2011, 12:06:00 PM

You need to remove the bark and sapwood so you can see what the back will look like. Lots of secrets can hide under the bark. If you plan to use some sapwood take the stave down to your back ring and be sure to get a good clean ring(sapwood or heartwood) without splinters or violations. At this point lay out your bow, cut it outside the lines, bring it to the lines with a rasp and scraper and start tillering.