Possible maple bow

[rmorris]

Today I saw our maintenance crew chopping down a dead tree with a reciprocating saw and just had to laugh a little and go out and talk to them.

I asked them if they had any other trees they were going to take down and they told me the maple outside my door. I told them I would supply a chainsaw if I could take the section of tree I wanted. I now get the bottom 8' and they get to dispose of the rest.

Is this acceptable stick bow making wood and if so what do I need to do once it is cut down???

[WestTexan]

Looks like a nice one to me... Good and straight. The bark kinda looks like some of our Hackberry around here.

[DavidV]

Cut, split, and seal. Don't leave it outside because there's alot of sugar in maple and you'll get rot.

[Dave Bowers]

Get to choppin  

[rmorris]

Sooo...  The plan is to cut down the tree on Monday. I believe this to be a silver maple.

Once I chop it down, how many sections should I attempt to split it into? It is about a 5-6" diameter.

I hear you all say sometimes that the bark needs to be removed ? Is the case for me?

And what do I need to seal it up with ? Do I just need to do the ends or the entire thing?

I am going to try do find my Bowyers Bibles tonight , any sudgestions on where to start reading ?

[wood carver 2]

Is silver maple a good bow wood? I have one on the front lawn that's looking rather unhealthy...    
Dave.

[Black Mockingbird]

Id leave it alone...its a soft maple...unless you want a really longbow or make lowpoundage bows for women n children.