Osage Orange (also known as Bodark)
Maclura pomifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or interlocked. Ring-porous with a very coarse texture and distinct growth rings visible as cathedral patterns or tight lines.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant, golden to bright yellow that inevitably ages to a medium to dark brown over time with UV exposure. Sapwood is narrow and pale yellow to white. It has a high natural luster.
Hardness Rating
2,620 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptionally resistant to decay and one of the most rot-resistant woods in North America. Highly resistant to termites and insects.
Common Uses
Bows (archery), fence posts, tool handles, dye source, woodturning, and heavy-duty structural applications where rot resistance is critical.
Geographic Origin
Native to South-central United States (Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma), but now widely naturalized throughout North America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on thickness and quality; often sold as turning blanks or specialty bow staves.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears relatively fresh or recently surfaced, as it still retains the characteristic bright yellow hue before significant UV-induced browning has occurred.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered very sustainable and invasive in some regions.
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme hardness and density; it has a significant dulling effect on cutting edges. Gluing can be difficult because of natural extracts, but it turns and finishes well.
Notable Features
Contains a high amount of water-soluble yellow dye/extractives. It is extremely heavy and dense. When burned, it has the highest BTU value of any North American wood but tends to spark/pop excessively.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear finishes are highly recommended to slow the transition from yellow to brown. Responds well to tung oil or polyurethane.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct 'neon' yellow color combined with the coarse, ring-porous grain and high density is unique to Maclura pomifera.