Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionOsage Orange Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Osage Orange is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameMaclura pomifera
Janka hardness2,620 lbf
Average dried weight54 lb/ft³
Best fitTurnings
Overview
Why choose Osage Orange?
Osage Orange is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is South-central United States. Common uses include turnings, musical instruments, archery bows, dye, fence posts, plus other small specialty pieces.
Scientific nameMaclura pomifera
DistributionSouth-central United States
ShrinkageRadial: 3.8%, Tangential: 5.6%, Volumetric: 9.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityExtremely durable, Osage orange is among North America's most rot-resistant woods.
Osage Orange colour, grain, and figure
Freshly cut wood is a golden or vivid yellow, and it always settles into a deeper mid-brown, mainly because of ultraviolet light exposure.
Grain runs straight, and the texture is fine to medium. It has a high natural sheen.
Working notes
Osage orange is hard to work because it is hard and dense, though it reportedly dulls cutting edges very little. It turns well and takes stain, glue and finishes well.
The sap is said to cause dermatitis.
Osage Orange should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Osage Orange
Best projects
Common uses include turnings, musical instruments, archery bows, dye, fence posts, plus other small specialty pieces.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Osage Orange from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Osage Orange FAQ
What is Osage Orange best used for?
Common uses include turnings, musical instruments, archery bows, dye, fence posts, plus other small specialty pieces. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Osage Orange beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Osage Orange?
The buying section on this page links to any Osage Orange Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.