Sheaths, Birch bark substitute for the Great Plains

[fnc]

Does anyone know: Birch bark substitute for the Great Plains

I would like to make some knife sheaths from bark,
which I would reinforce with some kind of glue and
maybe some cloth.

 

[bikermikearchery]

Birch bark is kind of a unique bark. but there are some other barks that are close in there useful property's to birch. Cherry bark can be bent and formed. I have seen it woven in to baskets and glued to bow backs.
I'm not sure what grows in your area. You mite want to give "wilderness way" or "Paleoplanet" a try for some bark. There are some trade sources there and people who sell bark baskets who mite be able to help you out.

 

[Plainsman]

FNC,

Where are you located?

We have birch up here in ND in spots.

Cotton wood is of the birch family I've heard, perhaps you could use its bark??

There's another tree, but I can't remember whic one right now that you could peel bark in sheets from...I'm thinking it might be either choke cherry or june berrry, but I'm not certain...

Good luck and let us know what you find!

 

[Guntotin_fool]

Birch is not a great plains native. its only a great northern woods native. plains indians used water cured rawhide.