Tree Leaf ID

[caliban]

I cut a bow stave in winter from a tree that I thought was Ash. I cycled past it today, and it doesn't look like Ash now it's in leaf. I took some leaves and after looking at a tree ID site I think it might be Bird Cherry. Can anyone tell from this photo?

Sorry to be so vague, but I'd appreciate any opinions.

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

Might help?

http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/index.htm

 

[caliban]

That's a great site DHD, could well be "Bird Cherry" (never heard off it until tonight).

 

[slowworm]

It looks more like salix caprea to me, commonly known as goat/pussy willow or great sallow. Next time you look at it check to see what fruits it has, that should help id it.

 

[locum76]

It looks more like salix caprea to me, commonly known as goat/pussy willow or great sallow. Next time you look at it check to see what fruits it has, that should help id it.

Good call. I think you might be right.

 

[dwardo]

Good call. I think you might be right.

If the bark has little diamonds on it its a winner, never seem to remember the leaves only the bark and definate willow trunk shape, also seems to die off quick too.

 

[treelore]

its Salix caprea (Goat willow ), if you feel under the leaf it should feel like fine hairs, look to see if there are catkins on the tree and if it has the catkins then its a goat willow......(yellow in colour then male/ female a small amount of yellow but mainly green)

hope that was of help

 

[caliban]

Thanks everyone. That was agreat help Treelore, thank you very much.

 

[treelore]

your more than welcome

 

[njc110381]

More to the point does Goat Willow make good bows? It's pretty stringy and flexible I should think, but maybe a bit too much so? Yew's the way to go I recon although that's assuming you've got some Yew trees!

 

[Norton]

Is goat willow part of the poplar family then? Because I was taught that you can identify poplar by the diamonds in the bark.

 

[caliban]

More to the point does Goat Willow make good bows?

NJC, Dwardo made a lovely Goat Willow bow. It's supposed to not be a premier bow wood, but I did make a bow with it that I was quite impressed with performance wise, unfortunately I crysaled it at the tillering stage. You can see the goatbow if you click the link to my blog mate. This was because I tried to make a skinny longbow. I should have made a long wide flatbow. I think Goat Willow would make a very good medium poundage flat bow.

 

[dwardo]

Cool bow! Especially given the tiller and bow choice. I have tried allsorts of woods in the english longbow/victorian tiller and its a fussy one to say the least.
There is a reason they were mostly made from yew lol. Some exceptional bits of ash and elm with a high SG have made some lovely bows as does the osages etc but the full ELB stats are best left for posh woods or particulaly nice bits of wood.

When is No.3 coming? Just cut some halzel my self

 

[caliban]

Cheers Dwardo! as a matter of fact I've got a much thicker limb from the same tree that I'm working down into a flatbow, so I'm interested to see how that will come out. I'm hoping it hits as hard as the skinny one, you never can tell though, can you? LOL! Look forward to seeing your hazel bow mate! Your silk backed wych elm was an absolute stunner.