Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Native to south-central North America (primarily Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas), but widely naturalized throughout the eastern and midwestern United States.
- Hardness
- 2,620 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent natural resistance to rot, decay, and subterranean termites, making it one of the most decay-resistant woods in North America.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a coarse texture; ring-porous structure characteristic of high-growth deciduous trees.
Color & Appearance
Freshly cut heartwood is a striking bright golden-yellow to bright orange, which oxidizes over time upon exposure to UV light to a rich, dark brown or grayish-brown. The sapwood is a distinct narrow pale yellow band.
Hardness (Janka)
2,620 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent natural resistance to rot, decay, and subterranean termites, making it one of the most decay-resistant woods in North America.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $5.00 to $10.00+ per board foot for lumber, though often sold locally in log or turning blank form.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly cut or recently split log sections (less than a few weeks old based on the bright yellow interior coloration and lack of significant weathering on the exposed face).
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and not considered threatened by the IUCN. Readily available within its naturalized and native range as a non-commercial species.
Common Uses
Fence posts, archery bows, turnery, accent pieces, rustic furniture, mallets, and primitive woodworking due to its extreme strength and rot resistance.
Geographic Origin
Native to south-central North America (primarily Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas), but widely naturalized throughout the eastern and midwestern United States.
Workability
Very difficult to work with hand and machine tools due to its extreme hardness and density. It rapidly dulls cutting edges and can be prone to burning during routing or sawing, but it turns exceptionally well on a lathe.
Finish Recommendations
Takes clear oil finishes, shellac, and polyurethane well. Because it naturally darkens with age to a rich brown, clear finishes that highlight the initial golden-orange or the aged patina are preferred.
Notable Features
Contains natural chemical compounds (such as morin) responsible for its bright yellow color and exceptional rot resistance. It is extremely heavy, dimensionally stable once dry, and has excellent shock resistance.
