tree ID help

[gringol]

What tree is this?  More importantly, is there make a decent bow locked up in there somewhere?

[Pat B]

That looks like English Laurel to me. It is a true Prunus like cherry, plum, peach, etc so it should be good bow wood. I have never tried it.

[gringol]

I think I may have to try it.  It's sort of a weed around here, so if it works I will have lot's of staves to play with.  When I do try it, should I treat it like a white wood or chase a ring?

[Robertfishes]

I have heard of someone using Austrailian Pine for self bows, there should be a few of them near you... its not really a pine..

[gringol]

There isn't much Australian pine here, but I have seen alot of is further south, especially on the edge of the Everglades.  If I ever get a chance to cut one down I'll do it.

[Pat B]

Yes, treat it like a whitewood. Those berries you see are attractive to birds and the resulting seed/fertalizer combo gives it a good start in the wild or around neighborhoods. You should be able to peel the bark and not have to chace a ring. I think I'd saw it in half lengthwise or remove wood from the belly side like I did with this peach sapling...




...and bind it to a form to dry...

[gringol]

That's pretty cool, Pat.  Thanks for the info.