Osage Orange Lumber
Osage Orange lumber facts, availability and prices.
Specs: Osage Orange Lumber
| Color: Orange in color with bright yellow sapwood |
|---|
| Specific Gravity: .86 |
| Weight: 54 lbs/ft3 |
| Hardness 5/5 |
| Workability: Very dense and not easily worked. |
| Stainability: Fair |
A Remarkable North American Hardwood: Osage Orange
Exceptional Burning Properties
Osage Orange lumber (Maclura pomifera) ranks among the densest, hottest burning woods in North America. Due to its exceptional durability, this remarkable hardwood generates up to 32.9 million BTUs per cord when burned, thereby making it an outstanding firewood choice for those seeking maximum heat output.
Historical Uses and Natural Durability
The natural durability of Osage Orange stems from its high density and unique chemical composition. Widely used as fencing because of its impressive resistance to both rot and insects, this versatile wood has served many purposes. Throughout history, Native Americans and early settlers valued these qualities, thus utilizing Osage Orange for everything from fence posts to wagon wheels that could withstand decades of exposure to the elements.
Distinctive Identification Features
Identifying Osage Orange from similar looking species is easy thanks to the water-soluble yellow dye naturally present in the wood. When placed in water, the liquid quickly turns yellow, providing a simple test for identification. These distinctive characteristics earned the wood its alternative name, “Bodark,” derived from the French “bois d’arc” meaning “wood of the bow.” The exceptional strength and flexibility of Osage Orange made it the preferred material for Native American hunting bows.
Since Osage Orange trees are usually small and gnarly, very few make suitable saw logs. This limited availability has made Osage Orange a specialty lumber not widely found at most lumber mills. Nevertheless, when available, woodworkers prize it for its golden-orange color that deepens to a rich brown patina with age and exposure to light.
Working with Osage Orange
With extreme hardness (scoring 2,040 on the Janka hardness scale), Osage Orange presents challenges during woodworking yet rewards craftsmen with exceptional wear resistance. Many artisans appreciate this wood for specialty applications including tool handles, musical instruments, and fine furniture accents where its unique properties shine brilliantly. The effort required to work this dense wood is more than compensated by its durability and distinctive appearance.
Modern Distribution and Uses
Despite its relatively small natural range in the south-central United States, Osage Orange trees have been widely planted throughout North America as natural fence lines and windbreaks. Their distinctive, brain-like “hedge apples” or “monkey balls” fruit are often used as natural insect repellents. Many homeowners appreciate these trees for both their practical benefits and historical significance.
Sourcing Quality Osage Orange
For dimensional Osage Orange lumber or slabs, give Timber Works a call today. Carefully sourced with exceptional character, our specialty wood selection meets the highest standards of quality. Osage Orange bow blanks are also available by special order for traditional bowyers and archery enthusiasts who demand only the finest materials for their creations.
Osage Orange Gallery
| Description | Price |
|---|---|
| Osage Orange 4/4 thickness | $4.00 |
| Osage Orange 8/4 thickness | $5.00 |
Kiln dried to between 6 and 8% moisture. Discounts available for larger quantities. Call for details.