Cutting osage

[Matt Stuckey]

I have recently acquired access to some osage trees.  At this point is it better to wait until the new growth is done or just cat at any time.

Matt

[No-sage]

Now is a good time to cut.  New growth doesn't matter on osage because you're using the heartwood anyway.  All the new growth is just under the bark, and it will be removed while you're chasing a ring.

[shamus]

osage can be cut any time.

[DCM]

I really like to try to get osage cut and quartered early in the year.  Probably not a bad time in Ohio.  I usually go for Feburary in Memphis, TN.  Reason being, I believe if you get the moisture content down a bit, say 3 or 4 months off the stump and quartered down to stave size, them freakin bugs don't get as excited about munchin' on it when the hot weather comes.  Least that has been my experience for the last several years.  Plus, no point working hard in the heat of Spring/Summer.  30s and 40s is perfect osage cutting weather.

[John Scifres]

I agree with DCM but if you need wood, cut it anytime.  If you can afford to wait, winter is osage cutting season.  Just for the simple fact that it's hot work and also frozen ground sure helps things out.  Also, less underbrush and bugs around in February.  If you do cut it now, stave it out, strip the bark and sapwood and seal it with shellac.  Don't cut more than you can handle.

[Roy Steele]

I've cut o'sage alot at anytime I got the chance.And have built bows out of lots of staves not nowing when they were cut.Some were 10 years old.And can't see any difference in the bows I built.And was told by a old guy that cut osage and built bows for over 50 years that it did'nt matter.

[shamus]

I usually go for Feburary in Memphis, TN. Reason being, I believe if you get the moisture content down a bit, say 3 or 4 months off the stump and quartered down to stave size, them freakin bugs don't get as excited about munchin' on it when the hot weather comes.  

now THAT is a food for thought, and it dovetails with John's comment about cutting in winter (no bugs, cooler weather, etc).