Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
Brilliant golden-yellow, extremely hard, and famously rot-resistant, the traditional bow wood. Vivid but demanding, and it darkens to amber over time.
Commonly built
- Bows
- Turned bowls
- Fence posts
- Game calls
Appearance
Bright golden-yellow to orange when fresh, aging to a rich amber-brown with UV exposure. Fine, hard, lustrous surface.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Extremely hard and dense, tough on tools and slow to work. Superb decay resistance. The vivid yellow fades to brown over time unless UV-protected. Excellent for bows and turning.
Common questions
How hard is Osage Orange?
Osage Orange has a Janka hardness of 2040 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Osage Orange suitable for outdoor use?
Osage Orange stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Osage Orange to work with?
Osage Orange has Difficult workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Finishing notes
Starts a brilliant golden-yellow that inevitably darkens to a rich amber-brown under UV exposure, no finish fully prevents this, though a UV-inhibiting finish slows it. Very hard and dense, so finish sits more on the surface than penetrating. Takes a high polish. The color-shift is a known trait to plan around, not a defect.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used osage orange, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.