Yew tree

[green heart]

I was surprised to learn some years ago that Ash and Hazel were also used to make English long-bows.

A bow maker actually purchased some cleft Ash from me, in preference to my  Yew !?

Though this was all twenty years ago, before Ash die-back was a thing. 

[BillQ]

Not sure if its helpful but I read a book by Robert Hardy that iirc, it was 30 years ago admittedly, that covered the process of making one. I would have given a link but its late and just in from the rubba-dub-dub.

[WirralBoy]

10 hours ago, BillQ said:

. . . .  I read a book by Robert Hardy that iirc,. . . . .

 

Longbow: A Social and Military History

by Robert Hardy CBE

 

Published 16 November 1992

[stuckinthemud]

Ash and hazel make excellent bows.  I think hazel is better, and it is much nicer to work with, but ash is more recognised as it's a 'proper' timber, so gets a better price.  Elm, especially Wych elm (Wych translates as bendy) makes an outstanding bow and in the early medieval, the Welsh used Wych elm in preference to yew.

[Alan Smith]

Interesting re the Wych Elm.  I've started planting out some whips to see if they will establish here.

[Squaredy]

19 minutes ago, Alan Smith said:

Interesting re the Wych Elm.  I've started planting out some whips to see if they will establish here.

Hedgerows are full of elm in much of England and Wales, and sadly they don’t grow very big, but probably plenty big enough for a few bow staves.  But I have no idea which elm they are - probably mainly English elm.

[Stubby]

9 hours ago, Squaredy said:

  But I have no idea which elm they are -

I see what you did there 🙂

[sime42]

Not bow stave material but an impressive tree I spotted out and about today nonetheless. Looks like it regenerated from the hollow centre at some point, (probably centuries ago!).