Which trees have usable barks for sheaths etc

[Stanleythecat]

Hi All

I saw some wonderful (an simple) birch bark sheaths on another site but where I am the bark is not of a good enough quality to be useful. Could you recommend any other native birtish trees that I might substitute for such crafts?

Many thanks

Leo

 

[Shovel]

This thread should be interesting. I've been thinking about bark sheaths for a while but have worried about what treatment to use on the bark and what kind.

 

[Bundleman]

Lime, willow and wych hazel can be peeled off well and might be worth trying...

 

[John Fenna]

Cherry bark handles much like Birch.
In spring - when the sap is running strongly - you can harvest sheets of willow quite easily
Laylandi bark can also be pealed easily but some folk (like me!) react badly to the sap (gives me a rash/weals on contact - other folk have it worse).
Ash bark is pretty good if harvested in full flow of sap.

 

[Stanleythecat]

Thanks John and Bundleman. Is the rule to harvest in spring then?

 

[John Fenna]

Thanks John and Bundleman. Is the rule to harvest in spring then?

By far the easiest time!
Barking will probably kill the tree so use the wood as well for another project

 

[topknot]

Eastern woodland lndians used birch bark inside of there sheaths.

Topknot

 

[addo]

Here you go Stanley http://woodsmancrafts.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Working%20with%20Bark Third post down for sheaths.

I've used Elm and Birch for sheath making easily from local barks. Elm was easier, as would be Willow and lime due to the long evenly cut lengths. Strong material too.

 

[Stanleythecat]

Thanks Addo