Comments on: Osage Orange Bench – Viewer Project

By: John Macdonald

John Macdonald — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 15:43:14 +0000

I have several Bois D’Arc trees I am removing from my property here in central Texas. I have two already cut down, but not cut up yet with 3 or 4 more still standing on my property. If you have any interest in these trees, or any parts of them, I would be willing to send photos to you. I am very well aware of the unique qualities of this wood, as I do quite a bit of woodwork myself. Please advise if you are interested.

Thanks, JM

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:44:43 +0000

That bench will be around for years!
Fenceposts made of hedge have been in the ground for at least 100 years around here (NW Missouri), and are still so hard that you can’t drive a nail in it.
We’re working on a hedge project ourselves- we’re a CSA Artillery reenacting unit, and have just whittled out a new axle tree for our cannon out of a hedge timber. I’d imagine my grandkids won’t have to replace it!

By: Adam M

Adam M — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:16:04 +0000

Bruce,
Awesome bench, My dad and I were cutting Hedge here in Illinois last weekend. We love the heating qualities of the wood, it burns long and hot. We were joking around about how nice the wood may look in an outside table or chairs, seeing this has inspired me to give it a try. We are building our own sawmill so we may need to saw some hedge!!

By: Lubras

Lubras — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:04:47 +0000

This is not something that I would put in my backyard (personal preference) but I think its a great project. The ossage orange looks great on it! Very nice job.

By: Doug McPherson

Doug McPherson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:15:53 +0000

That’s a great story. Good for you!

By: Doug McPherson

Doug McPherson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:04:27 +0000

Nicely done. Artful. Did you consider some form of joinery that didn’t include the bolts and nuts? I love the uniqueness and beauty of the bench. Also the longevity of the item is great to ponder…who’s going to be sitting on that years and years from now?

By: Clifford Giel

Clifford Giel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:53:51 +0000

The best part of that bench is that you wont find another bench like it anywhere in the world. Its truly unique. Awesome work.

By: Araldite

Araldite — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:52:07 +0000

My understanding is that osage is so prone to darkening that UV absorbers only slow but don’t prevent it. Osage contains chemicals that are strong UV absorbers themselves to protect the plant from the sun, but when these chemicals absorb the UV, they break down into dark colored byproducts.

By: Dan Drabek

Dan Drabek — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:35:53 +0000

It’s not generally available in California except at specialty hardwood dealers. And certainly not in the large pieces like Bruce used on his bench.

By: zontobi

zontobi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:24:45 +0000

Never heard of that species before! Wondering if I can get it over here in California.