Osage Orange
Description/Overview: Osage Orange, also known as hedge apple, horse apple, or bodark, is a hardwood species native to North America. It grows primarily in the southern United States, with a range that extends from Texas to Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. The heartwood of Osage Orange is bright golden-yellow to orange-brown, often with contrasting streaks of black, making it a visually striking wood species.
One of the unique properties of Osage Orange wood is its exceptional durability. It has a high natural oil content that provides excellent resistance to decay, insect damage, and moisture. This resistance makes it an excellent choice for humidors, as it helps maintain a consistent humidity level for storing cigars over long periods.
Osage Orange wood has a distinct grain texture that ranges from fine to medium. The wood is also known for its vibrant color, which deepens over time to a rich golden hue. Its color and durability make it a popular choice for flooring, furniture, and decorative items.
Origin: Southern United States, with a range that extends from Texas to Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.
Names: Hedge apple, Horse apple, or Bodark
Color: Bright golden-yellow to orange-brown, often with contrasting streaks of black.
Properties: Distinct grain texture that ranges from fine to medium
Additional Info:
Native American tribes used Osage Orange wood to make bows and other tools.
The wood is also popular among archers and bow makers today.
Osage Orange is sometimes called "hedge apple" because it was often planted as a natural barrier around fields and pastures.
The wood is so dense that it doesn't float in water.
Osage Orange wood has been used to make fence posts that last for decades, earning it the nickname "bois d'arc," or "wood of the bow."
The wood has a distinctive scent that some people describe as a combination of citrus and woodsy aromas.
Osage Orange wood has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, from fever to inflammation.
The trees can live for up to 150 years and grow to be over 50 feet tall.
Osage Orange wood is difficult to work with because of its hardness and density.
The wood is prized for its unique properties and is often used in high-end humidors, from classic heirloom to modern and contemporary.