At long last,

[firefighterjake]

Too funny Woody! I don't know what locals call it here, I've never heard of Hedge, hedge apple, or Maclura pomifera before now. I have heard the term Osage-orange though. I'm originally from up around Buffalo, and never heard the term up there either.

Love your name of Bodark, that would be a better one. Whips up the mental images of the things you eluded too.

Reminds me of a contest they ran up in Buffalo back in the 70's (after the blizzard of "77" I think) to name the "stuff" made of snow, ice, salt, dirt, etc. that sticks to the bottom of your cars behind the wheels during the winter. The winning entry was called "Snard", always remembered that! Everybody up around there calls it snard now.

Oh you're talking about "snirt" . . . come Spring time while riding the sled you're often riding in "snirt" -- a combination of snow, ice and dirt that often cakes up on your snowmobile.

 

[osagebow]

The Indy crew call it just 'Hedge.' What do the locals in OH call it? You are so close to us, I would think it would be the same.
Maclura pomifera sounds like something you'd find in an English flower garden. I think the name 'Bodark' conveys the proper sense of sinister foreboding befitting this potentially dangerous wood. And the tree itself is spooky. Seeing one after the leaves have fallen on a moonlit night close to Halloween with its gnarly, twisted arms almost reaching out to grab you...well, it's enough to make your skin crawl.

Hahaha...good description! Osage WILL grab you with those thorns, too. Seems to have a mind of it's own when being "attacked'.
"Bodark" was origionally "Bois D'arc" or "Bow wood" in french. The tribes, including the Osage tribe it's named for, in it's native range of west Texas / southern OK traded staves extensively with other groups. It will make a shorter, stronger, and more durable bow than anything else, especially with primitive tools and techniques.

Great score! The left 1/4 of that split in your closeup would make a nice hatchet handle, too.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Beautiful. If you do any woodworking- save some for projects. It darkens as it ages, and is incredibly strong. Polished up, it has a real fire to the surface. I've made several bows from it.

 

[Woody Stover]

The left 1/4 of that split in your closeup would make a nice hatchet handle.

Beautiful. If you do any woodworking- save some for projects. It darkens as it ages, and is incredibly strong. Polished up, it has a real fire to the surface.

I saved a 24" section of a 9" split for my brother, who is a woodworker. It has a slight curve to it, which I didn't see when I cut it. What do I have around the house that I could seal the ends with to prevent checking until I can get it to him?

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I saved a 24" section of a 9" split for my brother, who is a woodworker. It has a slight curve to it, which I didn't see when I cut it. What should I seal the ends with to prevent checking until I can get it to him?

Any house paint, wood glue, shellac, etc. Almost any coating will slow moisture about enough.

 

[Jags]

Yep, good ol latex paint will work.

 

[Thistle]

I prefer using Anchorseal or a similar brand of water based wax emulsion specially designed for sealing green logs & lumber.Applied with brush (best method really,though its slow for large amounts),roller or spray.Its the best but around $30-35/gallon now.But sometimes use leftover latex paint,black jack roofing sealant,or old melted candles,they work also just not as good.

Main thing is do NOT leave the wood in strong sunshine or a very windy location.Keep it indoors away from heat source if possible.Otherwise it will crack/warp badly no matter what sealant you use. The wood needs to breathe,yet not dry so suddenly it has large cracks.Firewood I dont care how bad it cracks,nice lumber I've spent hours of hard work processing for future projects is another matter.

 

[osagebow]

I seal all my staves with shellac thinned with alcohol and a big sloppy brush. Anything mentioned should work well, though

+1 on drying nice and slow to avoid checks / cracks