Re: MtMan-List: something different

[Bill Metcalfe <wmi@worldnet.att.net>]

NaugaMok@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 97-04-05 11:05:34 EST, you write:
> 
> << Hickory is excellent - but - if max heat is what you want Osage Orange
>  (hedge apple, &c.) burns the hottest.  Best to burn in a closed stove as it
>  pops hot coals all over the place.
>   >>
> That's a fact!!  We had a neighbor that heated with "hedge" as we called it &
> he claimed it was hotter than coal.  His furnace thought so too because the
> fire grates would burn out every 5 - 7 years.  The furnace had a 10 yr
> guarantee on the fire grates when used with coal, so he always got free
> replacements.  One down side to osage orange heating, it stained his roof --
> he had a rusty looking area around the chimney part of his otherwise green
> roof.  At home, we used "hedge" for fence posts, & many that were put in 45
> yrs ago are still there doing their job -- especialy the big corner posts it
> took a half day to sink & set by hand.  It ain't cuz the fences weren't
> contested, since Dad had a NW Mo dairy farm running holsteins, they were
> continualy tested by cows grazing on the grass on the other side of the
> fence.  Last time I was home for a visit, I cut several osage saplings for
> bow staves, but our dry Nevada heat cured them too quickly & they split in
> the wrong places.  I also went through what was left of Dad's post pile
> looking at stuff that was cut 45 yrs ago, but all the good straight knot free
> posts had been used years ago.  Osage also makes beautiful furnature & bowls.
>  A word of warning though about using osage bowls for food -- don't do it!!
>  Osage has a natural toxin that makes it almost bug & termite proof, that
> ain't one bit good for humans either.  Due to the natural waxes & oils in the
> wood, it's easy to finish on a lathe -- after turning & sanding smooth, hold
> a canvas pad against it while turning.  The heat generated by the pad brings
> the oils & waxes to the surface & leaves a realy nice finish that'll hold a
> long time indoors.  I've often thought it'd make a pretty gun stock, but it's
> a bit tough to work by hand.  It does make excelent flooring -- wears like
> iron & periodic buffing brings back the natural finish.
> NM

Osage Orange is also known as Boisdarc in the Souhern states. It is
used  mainly for fence posts, floor sills in wood buildings and sheds
where there is contact with the ground and moisture. Also was used in
some furniture and as support piers where houses were built off the
ground.

Bill