Osage Orange Question

[BrianO]

I have been looking for some osage to cut for some time now.  I have found several trees that are about to be bulldozed to make way for an apartment complex.  I thought I could probably get a book and study about them before I had to do anything but the fella running the bull dozer said he would work around them until tommorrow afternoon.  So my qustion is exactly what part or size do I cut for staves?  Does it matter about small limbs growing out of a otherwise good limbs, say a half inch or less?  It seems that most of the  biggger limbs have a natural curve or arch.  Obviously you dont want much arc but how much is tolerable.  I hate for any of this to go to waste so I'm trying to save as much as possible.  I am new to this so please spare no advise. All input is welcome.

[ChuckC]

If nothing else, grab the trunk and get it cut into lumber at a local mill so you can give it to guys like me on the Gang !    (hint)

If you have the time, I would seriously try to grab some of it anyway.
ChuckC

[Talondale]

I'd grab what you could and sort it out afterwards.  Sounds like you only have a small window of opportunity.  Pieces you don't use could be used for handles, knife scales, tip overlays, turkey calls, etc.

[Steve Kendrot]

I'm hoping to capitalize on a similar opportunity for my first stash of osage too! My understanding is a relatively straight grained peice will be easier for a first timer to work with. Some curve can be taken out once reduced to a stave. I've heard 8-10" diameter trunk is good to split into staves smaller branches might work too. Remember, you can work with billets so 36" is all you really need. You can splice billets together so I don't think all is lost if you can't find a straight 72" peice. Good luck. Remember to seal the ends to prevent splitting/checking. Some guys use glue.

[Blkbird]

Might want to remove the bark before you stow it away,helps to keep the little critters from boring a home in it.

[Bob Barnes]

anything that fairly straight for at least 3 feet will make at least billets...get all that you can and follow the advice above...spray it all with something that will keep the bugs out of it.  My porch has a pile of beautiful 1/4" ring stuff that is so full of holes it's worthless.  Even 3-4" stuff makes great bows.
Bob

[John Scifres]

Don't take just the bark off, get the sapwood too and make sure and paint all fresh cuts with plenty of shellac.

[Jason Lester]

Bring a chain sharpener. That Osage is tough!

Like other said. Straight stuff mostly. the trunk for sure. MAke sure you split it up soon after cutting. seal the ends like John said.

Bigger diameter is better but you can make them out of some smaller stuff too.

[Walt Francis]

Listen to John Scifres advise and remove the sapwood.  If you take the bark off you must also take the sapwood off.  If you don't you are wasting a of of time and energy.

Walt Francis

[TRACY F]

I had a similar situation not long ago. I cut the straightest sections I could, 30 inches on up to 70+ inches, and then proceeded to split with wedges what I couldn't carry on my shoulders to the truck. Didn't want to waste time splitting if I didn't have to and I don't think the dozer was going to stop for me if He caught up with me. As others have said, seal the ends as soon as possible to prevent any checking. Get the best pieces first and then go from there. Good luck and hope this helps!

[Jason Lester]

Oh if you pull the bark and sapwood off make sure to seal that with too.

[BrianO]

Thanks for the info.  Turns out there is a lot more of it out there than I thought. I managed to get four logs about 70 incheslong and 10 inches round that are really straight.  The rain is slowing the bull dozer down and me too for that matter.  But I ended up getting a few more days to gather it.  When I take a collection of what I have I'll let everyone know and share the love.  Thanks again, this site and the folks on it are awesome!!!