Making Traditional English Longbows has been a hobby of mine for many years. I made my first Bow when I was 15, this was a selfbow made from English Ash. it was capable of shooting an arrow approximately 160 yards.
I taught myself the traditional techniques through books and Internet research and experimenting with different designs such as native American flatbows.
I have done a lot of experimentation with bow woods with some suprising success and more failure than I'd like to admit but this has just deepend my knowledge.

(above top) lemonwood and hickory Longbow
(above bottom) American Oak backed Sycamore