WOOD SPECIES:
Osage, Argentine Osage Orange
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Maclura tinctoria
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Osage, Argentine Osage Orange, Fustic
TYPICAL USES:
Osage is commonly used for turnery, flooring, furniture and specialty wood craft items.
SOURCES:
Central America, South America
RELATED SPECIES:
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
19,500 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.75
AVG WEIGHT:
56 lbs/cu.ft.
COLOR:
Argentine Osage Orange, as its name suggests, exhibits a golden, bright yellow, almost orange color, darkening with age and exposure to a medium brownish tone.
GRAIN:
The grain on Osage lumber is straight to interlocked.
TEXTURE:
Fine to medium texture with closed pores.
MOVEMENT:
Low dimensional movement is reported on properly seasoned wood.
DURABILITY:
Osage exhibits a high level of durability and is highly resistant to decay and insects.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
Osage can be rather difficult to work, due to its hardness and density. Some blunting is to be expected.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
Moderately resistant to sawing operations.
PLANING:
Osage Orange requires sharp tools and controlled feed rates due to its extreme hardness.
TURNING:
Osage turns well, assuming controlled speeds and sharp cutting tools.
BORING:
Somewhat difficult but easier with very sharp bits and machine tools.
GLUING:
Satisfactory results have been reported regarding Osage’s gluing properties.
NAILING:
Difficult to nail, pre-drilling is highly recommended.
SCREWING:
Good screw holding characteristics, better with pre-boring.
POLISHING:
Polishes well.
STAINING:
Takes stains very well although oil-based finishes are not recommended due to the possibility of color changes within the finished wood.
