Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a fine to medium texture; often contains small knots and interlocked grain in smaller logs.
Color Description
Golden to bright yellow heartwood that ages to a deep russet or dark brown over time due to UV exposure; sapwood is narrow and light yellow to white.
Hardness Rating
2,620 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptionally resistant to rot, termites, and decay, even in ground contact.
Common Uses
Fence posts, tool handles, archery bows, woodturning, dye production, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
South-central United States (Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma); naturalized throughout North America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on figure and dryness; turning blanks are often sold individually.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut logs (likely 0-1 years old) from a tree approximately 15-30 years in age based on diameter and growth rings.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); highly sustainable and often harvested from invasive or nuisance trees.
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme hardness; dulls cutting tools rapidly; glues and finishes well but requires sharp carbide tooling.
Notable Features
Produces a bright yellow dye; very high thermal energy when burned; historically used for 'hedge' fences; heartwood is extremely dense and heavy.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear finishes are recommended to slow the transition from yellow to brown; oils work well but may darken the wood quickly.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive bright yellow heartwood, thin sapwood, and deeply furrowed yellowish-orange bark are classic indicators of Maclura pomifera.