True Shaft Archery
P.O.Box 244 VoT 1R0 Port Clements, BC, Canada

In my years of working with Sitka, this is probably the greatest thing I have learnt about Sitka Spruce. Due to the fact that Sitka will grow a good 30 to 50’ above the rest of the forest canopy, it’s branch profile will take the full force of the Pacific Northwest storms. Now, nature is an incredible thing, to compensate for these incredibly violent flexings and stresses in the trees life that exert immense sheer forces within the tree, the tree has developed an internal rei...nforcing mechanism. Between the already longer than normal vertical fibres of the tree, there exists a Transverse Connective Fibre. This is a fine fibre that runs perpendicular to the vertical fibres, locking all those coarse grain fibres together. It’s this connective fibre that prevents the tree from tearing itself apart in a violent wind storm, it’s how they survive for 600 years up here in this harsh environment! This is demonstrated by the fact that you will never find wind shake in a healthy Sitka tree, but will find it in the Cedars, Hemlocks and Firs of the forests. Now, All trees have these fibres, it’s just that Sitka has the highest amount of them. This is easily demonstrated by how easily the respective trees split with a maul. Cedars just pop apart, ever watched a shake splitter? Fir is a bit tougher, but it will pop relatively easily too. It’s this single fact, that makes Sitka such an incredible arrow material, and why it’s the preferred material for masts and spars on traditional sailing vessels ! In the attached pics you will notice the length of the break on the tension side,due to the incredibly long fibres. One can also see the plethora of fibres that have been lifted during the tearing process, due to the connective fibres not relinquishing their hold. Under a microscope the transverse fibres can be clearly seen! Still connecting these grain fibres!!

She’s older, but new to us! Our skidder mounted yarder. This is going to make getting our salvage logs out of the bush a lot easier, and with even less damage to the surrounding forests.... It’s a 4 drum machine with a 1000 feet of mainline. We will be able to sit on the road, go out a 1000’ potentially, lift the log pieces off the ground and fly them right in. In essence, just a giant, portable, powered zip line

Looks like the T.S.A. Construction crew have a future as government road workers

Whenever the sort will allow, we refine the spine sort parameters as much as possible !

Whenever I work with Sitka I am always astounded at its tenacity! It is extremely stringy and tough, it dulls the blades on the cutting heads quickly, and we have to set the teeth on the headsaw for hardwood cutting. It truly is no wonder that Sitka is considered the strongest wood for its weight in the world, and was and still is the wood of choice for airplane frames and masts and spars on traditional sailing vessels. The pics show how the strings of wood wrap around the cutting head, and you can clearly see those micro fibres that make the wood so tenacious!

My version of a Northwest Coast style bow. This design is surprisingly efficient. I can see why it stuck for those Native Americans who created the design long ...ago. This won't be my last of this design. It's smooth drawing and surprisingly fast shooting bow! Made of Osage Orange 46" - 49#@23" Homemade vinegaroon stain, acrylic paints, deer hide handle wrap and muskrat fur tufts on the tips. Thanks to my wife for painting it. 120 pm me