Strange shape for a tree

[Mad Mike]

In the woods in the rain this afternoon & I spotted a small chestnut tree going around a few bends...

Not so easy to see on the picture as the flash caught the rain. The stem comes up out of the ground & then goes through 3 near right angles, across, down & then away int a sweeping curve.


What would you make out of this?


As I happened to have a chainsaw in my other hand & I cut it off &n trimmed after the sweeping curve.



About 20 minutes at home (mostly searching for stuff) I Had produced this

The blade came plastic wrapped over cardboard so I have left the teeth covered until 1st use. Just a couple of slits with a constrictor knot above, & 2 old nails pushed through drilled holes. Had the lean on it quite hard to bend to length for the blade.

Apart from running a knife over some lumps in the bark That was it. the string will get trimmed but I want to be able to tighten the knots if required.

Anyone else found any naturally grown tools?

Mike

 

[alan whelan]

Thats a real nice bow saw will last a life time if you mind it. It was a lot easier than heating over a fire.

Alan

 

[the interceptor boy]

also use the bow for bowdrills firelighting, two for the price of one. nice one. cheers the interceptor boy.

 

[Hugo]

I came across exactly the same in beech yesterday, much thicker than yours.
It seemed to follow me home and is now in the workshop trying to disguise itself as a ladle in making.
Good find mate.

 

[Mad Mike]

I came across exactly the same in beech yesterday, much thicker than yours.
It seemed to follow me home and is now in the workshop trying to disguise itself as a ladle in making.
Good find mate.

Trees are good at growing ladles. Mine used to be an 'elbow' in a thick birch branch. The spatula was from a straight bit.

Took a LOT longer than the bow saw. Hope yours goes well.

This was left to dry for months half way through as some splits developed. Fortunately they didn't go too far.

Mike

 

[Hugo]

Looks good mate I like that.

 

[pilotlight]

isn't it caused by a fungal infection or insect attack? there is a tree in our local wood nearly bent double on itself. It's a good size tree 12-15ft and looks rather bizzare.

nice saw by the way. why don't make a proper blade protector from leather?

 

[Barn Owl]

That's nature for us, all we need to assist is there.

 

[wildranger]

Can I just ask a question about the bow-saw? After the curved piece of wood dries out, does it not take a set in that position and stop exerting an outward pulling force on the blade, thereby reducing the tension on the blade? It has me puzzled!

 

[Mad Mike]

Can I just ask a question about the bow-saw? After the curved piece of wood dries out, does it not take a set in that position and stop exerting an outward pulling force on the blade, thereby reducing the tension on the blade? It has me puzzled!

Wood will take a set when left under load, some more than others. The saw is almost the natural grown shape, I only forced it about 1.5 inches. Also this is still in it natural round shape and not a finely tuned long bow which you would unstring when not in use. I think a more likely problem is if it twists while drying & puts a twist in the blade. We shall see.

Mike