In a quandary here. I want to harvest a hickory tree (4″ sapling) but all I am finding with the characteristic shaggy bark are mature (like 10″ in diameter) trees. In the summer it would be easier, match leaves/buds with pics on the net, etc. But I want to harvest now while the sap is down. I know, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but there are a lot of trees out there. From what I am seeing on the net there could be Elm saplings out there too, which is strange because there are no mature elms out there. The issue is also confused by the preponderance of ash trees in the neighborhood. I think it will take more than just looking at the bark to make a positive identification. HELP!!!!
Grumps, you’re right. Only the big ones are shaggy. Once you learn it you’ll always be able to pick them out. It’s difficult for me to describe without standing next to it. Best thing I can think of is B) look it up on the interweb or better, A) ask someone from your county environmental center to show you one. They’ll show you the silhouette and how the branches and twig are positioned. Then you’ll see them all over the place. Dwc
I’ve not been as successful with the Shag bark hickory as I have with the smooth bark hickories. I think shag bark is harder and can be more brittle and less forgiving than the smoth barks. The only hickory bow I’ve had to break unexpectedly was made of shag bark but it send arrows down range with authority until it did break. If you have not previously identified one while the leaves are on you can look at the buds. They tend to be thicker than ash or poplar which can be mistaken if you are not very familiar with the bark patterns. Hickory bark is slicker and harder than ash or poplar bark. Try pushing a fingernail into it you will see. I’ve even had trouble IDing larger trees in winter. The smaller ones are easier for me to ID. Also Hickory bark has a distinct scent when scraped as does poplar and ash. They don’t smell alike at all to me. Good luck with your bow project. I like nice straight 8″ trees. Can often get 4 staves per section and is easier for and old guy like me to handle.
Grumps, what Mr Warren said is echoed by my hunting buddy. He has said the same about the two hickorys. He’s been using a selfbow made out of pig nut (smooth bark) hickory for years. We’ve been hunting together for 8 years or so and he’s had that same bow longer than that. He tags out every year with it, too. He’s a good archer and a better hunter. dwc
Good news. Scot, who is in the Tuesday Bible study, works at a sawmill. Yes. He knew what I was talking about has a pignut log for me. He also has a elm log. Just waiting until he has enough time… Seems like everybody is really busy.
Grumpy
Here’s another vote for pignut. Or maybe black locust if you can find it. Or better yet…. black locust with a 1/16 veneer of pignut on the back to keep it together 🙂
yup, siyahs weren’t easy. Glued one on a tiny bit off, which caused limb twist, fixed it by shaving off one side, then cutting the other down to match.
