A tree trimming crew was clearing under the power lines in front of my house yesterday. I have been watching a nice osage tree next to the lines for years now. It was too close for me to cut. I talked to the crew and they said that tree had to go. I had them top it for me and leave the trunk in one piece. I had them do the same for another osage and a cherry. I'm taking those to a sawmill. I got 3 really nice logs out of the best tree. The rings look great! It's been a long time since I cut a tree for myself. I'm looking forward to stashing away some primo staves.

Did the sawmill operators make a face when they saw big osage logs coming in? :)

Just my two cents, get the ends painted before you put them up for storage. You got some nice wood there.

I've taken osage logs to two different mills. Neither had cut it before but they didn't have any issues with it. They figured out real quick that they had to cut it slow.

Nothing like a good osage score!

Wow! Nice straight grain. And really nice late wood.

jwingman, I sealed the ends with some thick glue. I've cut tons and tons of osage logs over the years. I used to cut and split 300-400 staves a year. I seal the ends at least 3 times.

Nice score. Some guys have all the luck. Good looking stuff right there.

I plan on keeping these for myself. I'm out of the stave selling business. It was starting to be too hard on my body.

Clint do you remove the sap wood before drying it.

Beautiful score, Clint. Beautiful.

Great rings. But as much as I like those closeups of the rings and straight bark.... my favorite picture is the one with the big cloud of yellar dust in the air! That may be my favorite smell in the world... mix it with the smell of shellac? Heaven.

Jeff, throw in some chainsaw exhaust and you have the perfect spring morning smell.

Altitude Sick, yes, I'll remove the bark and sapwood. I'll seal the backs several times before storing them away. The sapwood is easier to remove when green. I don't have to worry about borers either.

Nice looking staves! Jawge

Yes... YES!

Dammit... now I want to go cut some osage.

I've been eyeing these bad boys up for a while. They're big. Sawmill size except for one maybe.

What are you going to do with them at the sawmill? I took some big hickory logs to my buddy's sawmill and helped direct his cuts to get as much quartersawn wood as possible. If you're careful with your cuts, you can still be left with several great staves in the 'leftovers'. After sawing two big logs into quartersawn lumber, I still got 8 or so good large staves. I hope you're planning on being there when he cuts them.

I've always just had them cut into slabs. Thicknesses from 3/4"-2.5".

Nice haul Clint. I know I don’t have to give you any advice on how to put them up. That’s why you are the outlaw.

Glad you are going to put up some staves for yourself. Really miss you over on PA. Hope things are going well for you.

Bjrogg

PS hopefully see you at Marshall

Oh I love making the yellow dust and shavings to. But I don’t like breathing the stuff. Seems like I keep getting more and more allergic to it all the time. I have to wear a mask and change my clothes now or I regret it.

Cool picture though.

Bjrogg

Osage doesn't come any cleaner than that! Nice looking logs Outlaw!

Forgot the picture.

Looks like some straight pieces in there

I have become like Bjrogg, terribly allergic to osage dust, I look like a spaceman when I work it now. I have to hold my breath when I take off my clothes and put them in the hamper and take a shower to clean my skin, it is that bad.

I've never had any issues with it. I've breathed and handled a lot of it over the years. The only time I wear a mask is when I use the band saw.

It didn’t seem to bother me at first but every year seems to be worst. I have rash around my eyes, nose and neck. My sinuses will be bleeding and very sore.

I can’t help myself though. I still have to make the yellow dust. As far as I know it’s the only wood that bothers me. It’s to good of a bow Wood not to use though.

Bjrogg

PS guessing yew might be a problem but I’ve never had a yes stave to try

I haven't had an issue with any wood dust yet. That would suck. I do sympathize with you guys.

I should at least wear a dust mask, but I still enjoy blowing them yellar boogers at the end of the day! ;^)

Good timing as I heard winter best time to cut. True?

Beautiful.. I do love the first pic as well...

Wow! I'd love to find a haul like that some day. I'd be a lot less worried about screwing up my small stash as a nooby. Osage certainly is gorgeous stuff.

Man I wish I could find osage like that here in PA. Nice bow wood for sure

I remember waiting on some line cutters in Michigan. Did the same thing, leave the trunk for me. No problem less work for them.

Great haul, congrats. John

Good you caught them before they were turned into firewood. Giving me the itch to cut some more now. Enjoy.

Right place at the right time...nice knowing the trees were there and you could make it happen!

Chance favours the prepared mind!

I got 2 logs split into chunks today. Each piece should yield at least 3 staves. I split 2 chunks up so far.

Mmm. Yummy.

Nice work Clint. Those are some nice looking staves.

Bjrogg

Beautiful staves Clint!

I've been selling all the staves like this and keeping lower grade for myself. I'm excited to keep these and use a primo piece of wood for a change.

All that purty Osage.... good for you :)

That's some right nice looking bow you have there. I wish it grew up here in the north country.

That Poor Saw. I wonder what kind of file they use to sharpen that machine?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpTVj2Jp4yU

You sure have a lot of work ahead of you yet.

Jeff, I've got more than half split into staves and sealed. Another day off work and I'll have it all split. Then several days with a draw knife cleaning them up. I haven't been able to spend anytime in my shop over the winter. It's been nice to be back at it.

That's a lot of bark and sapwood, even green, but I'm confident you're as proficient at removing it as anyone. I'd help ya if I was closer, I always enjoy that part.

I got the two logs split into 42 staves. One is wide enough for 2 bows. This weekend I'll start removing the bark and sapwood. I'm guessing 2 weeks of off days should get them done and ready to store away for a few years.

Those are really nice Clint!

It's some of the nicest osage I've ever cut. Very little waste. Pretty much zero wind checks.

That should keep you busy for awhile Clint

Bjrogg

Boy that's about the prettiest sight there is. Very nice. There's quite a few good bows in there.

Dang that's nice looking stuff.

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