The corner of Osage and Hedge

[Mark Smeltzer]

I thought there might be some Osage growing in my area, but did not expect to find street signs leading me right to it, and land owners willing to let me work my but off for three, 10 hr. days to get a truck load of it.  That is the toughest stuff I have cut and also by far the densest.
This will be the first Ca. Osage I've used.  The earlywood latewood ratio is really good. I was surprised!

Mark

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[cowboy]

That's hilarious! Where's the picture of your truckload .

[Mark Smeltzer]

After cutting, splitting and loading the trees  I was such a whipped pup that I did not take pics of the truck loaded, but I'll put up a couple of the wood pile.  Had to clean up ater myself really good too.....I want to be invited back.
Mark

[radius]

lucky man!

[Badger]

What part of california are you in? I used to see some in orange county years ago. Steve

[Mark Smeltzer]

I feel pretty luck to have gotten that Osage.   
Steve,  I live half way between Tahoe and Sac off hwy 50.  That Osage came from the Sac. area.  In the farm lands it's planted along the country roads.  Much of it is on the counties right of way.
Mark

[YewArcher]

Thats great! Sometimes ya gotta follow th signs. Lookin forward to seeing some of that!

Steve

[Rich Saffold]

Hey Mark,
            Thats great! There is no doubt you can turn this into a side gig.. If you have any clean wood left after Badger buys most of what you have , please keep me in mind. I'd love to get some local bodark....

Rich

[tom sawyer]

So Orange County is short for Osage Orange?  Cool.

[Badger]

      Those old ranches in so cal were loaded with osage, now most of them are housing tracts. I remember seeing the hedgeapples when I was out training my bird dogs. Mark, if any wood goes up for sale please keep me in mind. Thanks Steve

[Mark Smeltzer]

I wouldn't mind parting with some. I'll let you both know.  I'm pretty anxious to make a bow from it too.  Not too often I can get local stuff except Yew.
The rural areas here are disapearing too.  But there is still some Osage out there.  I'll post a couple more pictures of what I have.  About half of it is pretty snakey.  That is the heaviest wood I've ever cut.   I had to split most of it on the spot, I could not load it in the truck
Mark

[waterlogged]

Mark - I'm from Tahoe, and I've heard of Osage trees around the Sac Area, but I was never able to find any. If only I had known that the map had the location right on it! As for local stuff: don't forget white oak. That stuff is nearly indestructable. It's like west coast Hickory. There are also a few places with some good Maple, birch and other good white woods around. You wouldn't happen to cut your yew in Pollock Pines?

[Mark Smeltzer]

Waterlogged,
Actually I have cut some White Oak and you are right.  I haven't had good luck with the Local Black Locust though.  That could just be the particular location it came from.  The Yew that I have cut was near to Bear River Res.
That is a very limited deal though.  It's hard to find private land owners willing to let you take it.  And the state rarely gives permits to take down any tree on state land.
Mark

[waterlogged]

Really? I had no trouble getting a permit from the forest ranger's office at fresh pond. Found a good amount, though I'll need to scout more in the area when I go to cut some more, because I pretty much got all the straight wood from the area I found.

[Mark Smeltzer]

No kidding. They gave me heck for even asking to take down a live tree. Firewood is OK though.

I live in Camino,  it's fairly common in this area too. Sly Park has lots also.
We'll have to talk.  Ranger station at Fresh Pond you say?