Osage Orange

[Roger Jensen]

I am wanting to build a small box from Osage orange. I understand it changes color much like cherry when exposed to sunlight. Is there someone out there that has a proven way to keep the bright yellow color from turning brown?

Thanks, rog

[Leon]

Keep it out of sun light.

[eekamouse]

Just what Leon stated. The change of color is oxidation of the wood and pitch. I have a lot of osage orange growing on my property and have a few folks that like to cut it to make turned bowls and other items out of. They use tung oil on most all of what they make and keep items out of direct sunlight...........I hate it as a growing tree if thats what you want to call it, as its a pain to work around and is great to get flat tires off since the one species has tons of thorns. It does make fine fenceposts which will never rot out. I have some on my proptery that was used to make pasture fences with in the mid to late 40's and its still so tough you can not break it off, and absolutely no rot. Also good for firewood.

[Bill]

Also known as Bois D'arc. Indians used the wood for making bows and the "fruit" known as horse apples is supposedly known to repel roaches. There are quite a few on my grandmaws farm. But it is true that it is a pain in the butt tree.