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Osage Orange: Maclura pomifera, Moraceae |
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Osage Orange: Maclura pomifera, Moraceae |
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The genus Maclura contains about 12 species native to North America [1], with the rest in
tropical America and Africa. The genus Maclura is dedicated to William Maclure (1763– 1840), an American geologist, while the species epithet pomifera means bearing pomes or apples, in allusion to the large, spherical fruits.
Other Common Names: bodare us, bodark, bodeck, bodock, bois d'arc, bowwood, geelhout, hedge, hedge apple, hedge-plant, horse apple, maclura, mock orange, naranjo chino, osage, osage apple-tree, rootwood, wild orange, yellow-wood.
Distribution: Native to Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, but since escaped and naturalized throughout the eastern and northwestern United States.
The Tree: Osage orange is a medium-size tree with thorns, which grows in bottom lands. It attains a height of 60 ft (18 m) and a diameter of 3 ft (1 m). The bark has an orange cast
and was used in making khaki dye during World War I. Osage orange produces large spherical fruits the size of large grapefruits.
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of osage orange is narrow and light yellow, while the heartwood is golden to bright orange, which darkens upon exposure. The
heartwood can also contain red streaks. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. It is very hard, heavy, tough, resilient and takes a high luster. It is ring porous and commonly confused with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).
Weighta |
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Moisture content |
Specific gravity |
Weight |
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lb/ft3 |
kg/m3 |
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Green |
0.76 |
62 |
993 |
12% |
0.85 |
53 |
849 |
Ovendry |
0.84 |
NA |
NA |
aReferences: specific gravity, green and ovendry (59); specific gravity, 12%, (90); weight, (90).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property |
Green |
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Dry |
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MOE |
1.33 × 106 lbf/in2 |
9.170 GPa |
NA |
NA |
MOR |
13.7 × 103 lbf/in2 |
94.462 MPa |
NA |
NA |
C| | |
5.81 × 103 lbf/in2 |
40.060 MPa |
NA |
NA |
C ⊥ |
2.26 × 103 lbf/in2 |
15.583 MPa |
NA |
NA |
WML |
37.9 × 103 lbf/in3 |
261 .321 kJ/m3 |
NA |
NA |
Hardness |
2,040 lbf |
9073.92 N |
NA |
NA |
Shear| | |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
aReference (59). |
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Drying and shrinkagea,b
Type of shrinkage |
Percentage of shrinkage |
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0% MC |
6% MC |
20% MC |
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Tangential |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Radial |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Volumetric |
9.2 |
7.4 |
3.1 |
aThe wood of osage orange seasons well and thereafter maintains dimensional stability well.
bReference (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 6/4 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition stock stock stock stock stock
Standard T6-A2 T3-A1 NA NA NA
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: Osage orange is difficult to work because of its hardness. It holds glue and screws well, but it is difficult to nail.
Durability: Rated as exceptionally resistant to heartwood decay; one of the most durable woods in North America.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Fuel wood, fence posts, game calls, smoking pipes, artificial limbs, crutches, insulator pins, wheel rims and hubs of farm wagons, railroad ties, treenails, machinery parts, archery bows (Native Americans), dye from roots, windrows and hedges.
Toxicity: The sap can cause dermatitis (105). Additional Reading: 11, 29, 55, 68, 74.
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