Osage Orange (also known as Hedge Apple or Bodark)
Maclura pomifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a fine to medium texture; end-grain shows ring-porous structure with distinct growth rings and tyloses-filled vessels.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant golden to bright yellow, which darkens to a deep russet or coffee brown over time with UV exposure. Sapwood is narrow and pale yellow to white.
Hardness Rating
2,620 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptionally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. It is considered one of the most decay-resistant woods in North America.
Common Uses
Fence posts, archery bows (traditionally by Native Americans), tool handles, woodturning, dye production, and heavy-duty external construction.
Geographic Origin
Native to the South-Central United States (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas), but widely naturalized throughout North America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Typically $8.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on clarity and size; primarily sold as blink/turning blocks due to the small size of the trees.
Wood Age Estimate
The tree limb appears to be approximately 15-20 years old based on the visible growth ring count in the cross-section.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES or IUCN Red List; highly sustainable and often considered an invasive or nuisance species in some grazing areas.
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme hardness and density; it has a high blunting effect on tool edges. Glues and finishes well, though the natural oils may require wiping with a solvent first.
Notable Features
Produces a yellow dye when soaked in water; fluoresces under blacklight; extremely high fuel value (burns very hot); contains natural latex in the bark/fruit.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear finishes are recommended to slow the transition from yellow to brown. Tung oil or polyurethane are common choices.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the vibrant yellow heartwood, thin sapwood, deeply furrowed orange-brown bark, and ring-porous end grain is characteristic of Maclura pomifera.