Trees Used for Bows in Archery

Archery has a long and varied history throughout mankind's existence. Archers have been soldiers, sportsmen and hunters, in addition to a number of other roles. The trees that are used to make these bows also vary, depending on what area of the world the bow comes from and what sort of bow you want.

  1. Yew

    • Bows made from the yew tree are lightweight and a little more traditional as far as woods go. The heartwood of the yew tree is a light red, and it ranges to a nut brown, which is the usual color of the bows once they're finished. Yew is also a soft wood, and bends with a little less effort than several of the hardwoods that are used to make bows. Yew is a good bow for those who aren't as strong or experienced, and it's often used in bows for children.

    Lemonwood

    • Lemonwood is a tree that's native to Cuba, and is a tough, springy hardwood. According to The Essentials of Archery, lemonwood is a reasonably priced wood, and it's strong and straight enough that it can be easily sawn into bow staves. The color of the wood is where it gets its name from, since it is a yellowish, mottled shade. These bows will hold their pull much longer than softer woods like yew, and if properly cared for, lemonwood bows will last a long time.

    Other Trees

    • Bows have traditionally been made out of a number of different trees; however, just because there are trees used to make bows doesn't mean they are the best trees for these tools. Ash, hickory, blackwood, walnut, ironwood, mullberry and a variety of other trees throughout the world have been used to make bows. While these trees can be used to make functional bows, they are not true bow-wood trees.