Osage Orange

Osage Orange is a highly prized North American hardwood renowned for its bright golden-yellow to orange heartwood that darkens to rich amber over time. Native to the central United States, this wood is celebrated for its exceptional density, hardness, and stability, making it ideal for artisan woodworking and decorative projects.

Its fine, straight to slightly interlocked grain allows Osage Orange to machine, turn, and sand smoothly, revealing a polished surface with a warm, natural luster. Perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, bows, and specialty crafts, Osage Orange combines striking color with functional strength.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Maclura pomifera

Family: Moraceae

Origin: Central United States

Common & Trade Names

Osage Orange, Bois d’Arc, Hedge Apple, Horse Apple, Maclura

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: bright golden-yellow to orange, darkening with age

Sapwood: pale, sharply defined

Straight to slightly interlocked grain

Fine to medium texture

Extremely dense, hard, and durable

High natural luster

Workability

Dense and hard; requires sharp tools

Machines, sands, and turns well with care

Polishes to a smooth, glossy finish

Glues and finishes reliably

Ideal for small precision projects and decorative crafts

Health & Safety Note

Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Due to its density, always use proper dust extraction, respirator, and eye protection when machining or sanding Osage Orange.

Osage Orange wood, Maclura pomifera, Bois d’Arc, North American hardwood, exotic hardwood blanks, pen blank wood, knife handle wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, artisan woodcraft