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  1. #1
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    Default Cockspur Vine (related to Osage Orange)

    Cockspur Vine (related to Osage Orange)

    Recent discussion about the Osage Orange (American yellow hardwood) gave me an excuse to find share pics and info about its southern cousin.

    Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) is a Nth American species we find growing on farms, in cooler areas of SE Australia. It is a nicely coloured yellow wood with obvious growth rings which most woodturners have a longing for, even though its wood quickly darkens from yellow to a dirty brown.

    But it has an Australian and tropical "cousin" which some may be interested in seeing and knowing a bit about. I found a piece that was cut near the Bunya mountains 20 yrs ago, recalling how sap just poured out of its cut end as the rest of the vine was still high in the canopy. Its not a tree though, its a VINE with vicious curved thorns giving it its common name Cockspur Vine (Maclura cochinchinensis).

    Cockspur.jpg

    It has a loose yellow flaky bark. The above log is about 10 -12 cm diamter and shows the end of recently cut short log from a 20 year old vine showing pale sapwood with pink patches and a yellow heartwood (some 20 yrs old) and down some 20 yrs ago. Its native to the tropical forests of Eastern Australia although I believe it also grows in tropical forests of Asia.

    Euge

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euge View Post
    ....... Its native to the tropical forests of Eastern Australia although I believe it also grows in tropical forests of Asia......
    Here where I live (western side of Brisbane), the stuff is everywhere. Fig-birds & Orioles in particular relish the fruits, & distribute the seeds all over the place (with a nice little dollop of fertilizer to kick-start the seedlings!). There are some large old vines along the creek behind our property and one that came down with its host tree in a big storm was bright yellow where it fractured near the base. It's fine as long as it stays along the creek, but I sure as heck discourage it from establishing in our yard - those recurved thorns are nasty! Once it gets a toe-hold, it's hard to eliminate, the roots go forever & sucker freely when you chop the main stem off, so you've got to grub it out pretty thoroughly...

    It has the same end-grain structure as its Nth. American cousin - wonder if it would make a good bow?

    Cheers,
    IW

  4. #3
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    Interesting comments ... thanks Ian

    Its native range extends from China, through Malesia and into Queensland and northern NSW. I find it amazing that it is a vigorous large vine yet the wood resembles the Osage Orange Tree which is also thorny I believe. Yellow wood seem characteristic of the Mulberry family.

    Wood is very similar to Osage for sure. Haven't heard of anyone using it for anything but turnings.

    Euge

  5. #4
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    Heaps around the creeks in northern NSW where I get my wild lemon tree burls. The lemon have thorns, cockspurs have huge ones, plus just to make sure you get tangled there are also wild raspberry vines amongst the creek banks.

    My Cockspur has a bright yellow/orange heartwood that has kept its colour unlike OO. Turns beautifully similar to OO. Best way to dry it is to cut the vine at the base and let it dry in place. I have many cut off, must remember to go back one day, still have a fair bit here to use
    Neil
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  6. #5
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    Neil, is it tough & springy like Osage Orange? I was wondering if our variety might make good arms for a bowsaw (bow, bowsaw, what's the difference? ). Next time a storm pulls one of the biggies down, I'll have to check it out...

    Cheers,
    IW

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by IanW View Post
    Neil, is it tough & springy like Osage Orange? I was wondering if our variety might make good arms for a bowsaw (bow, bowsaw, what's the difference? ). Next time a storm pulls one of the biggies down, I'll have to check it out...

    Cheers,
    maybe, but never seen a straight section longer than then half a meter, it really meanders all over the place
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

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