Family: Moraceae.
Latin Name: Maclura pomifera.
Origin: Osage Orange’s native range runs through eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the extreme northwest corner of Louisiana.
Common Names: Osage Orange, Horse Apple, Hedge, Hedge Apple.
The Tree (characteristics): The Osage Orange Tree is a medium-sized tree that can grow to be 50 to 60 feet tall with a trunk that is 1 to 2 feet in diameter. The tree has a rounded or irregular crown and dioecious where male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Small green flowers will appear in May or June. The female tree can produce fruit that is 3 to 5 inches in diameter which will ripen and fall to the ground in early fall, September, or October.
Appearance of Wood: The heartwood ranges in color from golden to bright yellow and will darken to a medium brown with time. At times, the heartwood may contain red streaks. The sapwood tends to be narrow and light yellow in color.
Density: Osage Orange is a very hard, heavy, tough, and resilient wood. Average reported specific gravity ranges from .76 to .86 with an average dried weight of 54 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 2,620 pounds of force.
Drying and Shrinkage: Osage Orange seasons well and is considered stable. Average shrinkage values are 3.8% radial, 5.6% tangential, 9.2% volumetric.
Working Properties: Due to the hardness of the wood, it is rather difficult to work with either hand or machine tools. Osage Orange holds glue and screws well however it can be difficult to nail. It turns and takes stain well.
Durability: Osage Orange is quite durable and is considered one of the most durable and decay-resistant woods in North America.
Uses: Osage Orange can be used as fuelwood, fence posts, dye, musical instruments, turnings, and small specialty wood items.
Availability: Due to Osage Orange having small, crooked, and knotty trunks it is usually not harvested for lumber but can be found for sale in board or turning block form on occasion.