I thought there was something wrong with the tree the first time I cut it. All that fluorescent yellow saw dust came out.
Osage Orange
- Thread starter GeorgiaVol
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PheasantHunter
ArboristSite Member
It turns brown pretty quickly.
Osage is great. Ive turned a handle out of it for my 6' wood cart - 
and Im currently in the process of making a hand saw handle out of osage with just the chisel and spokeshave, patterned after a Disston D-23 from the 1940s. It's getting there.
If you are ever in doubt if a wood is osage.. take some thin shavings or sawdust and soak in warm water... turns strong yellow
. people in the old days used to use it to make yellow dye.
I have read that native americans would trade a full cart and a horse to draw it with for osage bows.
and of course as others have said it is superior firewood.
Good luck and don't let it go to waste.
and Im currently in the process of making a hand saw handle out of osage with just the chisel and spokeshave, patterned after a Disston D-23 from the 1940s. It's getting there.
If you are ever in doubt if a wood is osage.. take some thin shavings or sawdust and soak in warm water... turns strong yellow
. people in the old days used to use it to make yellow dye.I have read that native americans would trade a full cart and a horse to draw it with for osage bows.
and of course as others have said it is superior firewood.
Good luck and don't let it go to waste.
The osage must be somewhat like our black locust - Super hard, even fresh sawn you can't drive a nail in it. The pile of 6x6 posts & 2x8's I just finished are going in town for stops in front of parking places. 
I have several garbage can holders to do next. I know what you mean about the fine yellow dust, it's everywhere.
I have several garbage can holders to do next. I know what you mean about the fine yellow dust, it's everywhere.
It makes great tool handles, decking/posts for outside use, and can be pretty finished. Tough as hell to work with and try to cut it up green as it just gets harder like locust does when it dries.
Here is a couple of osage staves made into knife handles:
Here is a couple of osage staves made into knife handles:
PheasantHunter
ArboristSite Member
I finally got a photo of the Adirondack Chairs and Table I built from some osage orange a friend gave me. They need a little more work and some finish. Ignore the mesh in the background, LOL!
