Common Trade Names: Osage orange, hedge apple, bowwood, horse apple, bois d’arc
Scientific Name: Maclura pomifera
Color Range: golden to bright yellow heartwood but changes to dark medium brown as it ages and after UV light exposure
Availability: There is an ample supply of Osage orange domestically. However, Osage orange is not usually harvested for lumber, but some are sold as board or turning block.
Janka Hardness Scale: 2620 lbf
Average Weight per BF: 4.5 lbs/ Bd. Ft.
What Is Osage Orange?
The Osage orange tree was planted in a hedge row to form a thorny barrier and serve as a windbreaker. The Osage orange tree has a yellow-orange wood used by the Osage and other Northern Native American tribes to create bows and clubs because they are stable and bend well without breaking. Osage orange trees bear fruits. And while they are edible and non-toxic, no one likes to consume them due to their bitter taste and latex-like liquid that may cause skin irritation. However, some animals, like squirrels, feed on their seeds.
As a wood, Osage orange is valued for its durability and strength. These features, however, pose problems with workability. On a positive note, Osage orange stains, turns, glues and finishes well.
Where Does Osage Orange Come From?
The Osage orange tree is native to the south central United States. It was documented as early as 1804 by Scottish Explorer William Dunbar as he journeyed from the Mississippi River to the Ouachita River. The name Osage orange is a tribute to the Osage Native American tribe, from which the first plants were obtained.
Osage orange should not be confused with its close relation, Maclura tinctoria. M. tinctoria is a South American species marketed as Argentine Osage orange. Argentine Osage orange comes in larger-sized boards with fewer knots compared to the domestic Maclura pomifera.
Is Osage Orange Hardwood or Softwood?
Osage orange is a strong and durable hardwood. The hardwood classification means that the wood comes from dicot trees. These trees usually have broad leaves that fall during winter. Hardwood is not in any way related to a wood’s hardness, as the common misconception implies. However, Osage orange does have reliable hardness and rates high on the Janka Hardness Scale with an impressive 2620 lbf score.
How to Identify Osage Orange
Osage orange is similar to mulberry and black locust in that some people get confused easily. But, one useful and foolproof trick to identify Osage orange is to use water. Place the wood’s shavings into the water and see if the color changes to yellow. If it does, the wood you are testing is a genuine Osage orange variety. The color change can be attributed to the water-soluble yellow dye found in Osage orange.
Appearance-wise, you can distinguish Osage orange through the golden to bright yellow heartwood, which darkens over time. Sometimes, the heartwood features red streaks. It also has a narrow sapwood that normally has a light yellow hue.
FAQs
Can I use Osage orange as fuelwood?
Yes, Osage orange is also used as a fuelwood. It produces more BTUs when burning compared to other domestic hardwoods in the United States.
Is Osage orange easy to work with?
Unfortunately, Osage orange can be difficult to work on mainly because of its hardness and density. But, it does not dull cutting edges as much as other hardwoods do. To compensate for the few disadvantages, Osage orange responds well to stains, finishes and glues. It also turns out very well. The difficulty level of Osage orange workability depends on what your project is.
Can Osage orange go outside?
Osage orange is known to be one of the best decay-resistant woods in the United States and North America. It is extremely durable and can withstand outdoor elements. Just expect the color to darken faster when exposed to the sun.
Where to Buy Osage Orange Lumber?
Osage orange lumber is not readily available in many lumber shops, given that it is seldom harvested for use. But, we have an ample supply of Osage orange lumber in Alderfer Lumber Company Inc.
Our lumber comes in top-grade FAS, ensuring premium quality hardwood. The Osage orange lumber in our inventory comes in various sizes: 4/4, 6/4 and 8/4. Our lumber pieces are ethically sourced for sustainability and properly kiln-dried.
You can give us a call or message us if you have any questions about our lumber inventory. We also sell reclaimed wood pieces and live edge slabs of different wood varieties.
