Introduction:
Osage orange grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet with a spread of 20 to 40 feet. The Osage orange creates a dense canopy, making it useful as a windbreak. Young Osage oranges can develop an
upright, pyramidal habit. The large, three to six-inch long
by two to three-inch-wide, shiny, dark green
leaves turn bright yellow in fall and are quite noticeable in the northeastern United States. The
bark is deeply furrowed with an orange tinge. The wood is strong, durable and bright orange in color.
Specifics:
Scientific name: Maclura pomifera
Pronunciation: muh-KLOO-ruh poe-MIFF-er-uh
Common name(s): Osage-Orange, Bois-D’Arc
Family: Moraceae
USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 9A
Origin: native to North America
Uses: reclamation plant; tree has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, and/or drought are common Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree
Pronunciation: muh-KLOO-ruh poe-MIFF-er-uh
Common name(s): Osage-Orange, Bois-D’Arc
Family: Moraceae
USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 9A
Origin: native to North America
Uses: reclamation plant; tree has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, and/or drought are common Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree
Cultivars:
Thornless, fruitless cultivars of Osage orange include ‘Witchita’,
White Shield’, and ‘Park’. Propagation of Osage orange can be made by planting seed or making root-cuttings. Young trees are easily transplanted.
Description:
Height: 30 to 40 feet
Spread: 20 to 40 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: round; spreading
Crown density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: coarse
Spread: 20 to 40 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular outline or silhouette
Crown shape: round; spreading
Crown density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: coarse
Leaves:
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire; sinuate; undulate
Leaf shape: lanceolate; oblong; ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: yellow
Fall characteristic: showy
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire; sinuate; undulate
Leaf shape: lanceolate; oblong; ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches; 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: yellow
Fall characteristic: showy
Trunk and Branches:
Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and
will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian
clearance beneath the canopy; routinely grown with, or
trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks; showy
trunk; thorns are present on the trunk or branches.
Pruning requirement: requires pruning to develop
strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: thick
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: thick
Culture:
Light requirement: tree grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline; extended flooding; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline; extended flooding; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate
In Depth:
USE AND MANAGEMENT
It is reported that the Osage Indians made their hunting bows from this beautiful and hard wood, and it is also used to make furniture. From April to June, Osage-Orange puts out its inconspicuous green flowers but these are followed by the very conspicuous fruits. The fruits are four to five-inch-diameter, roughtextured, heavy green balls which ripen to yellowgreen and fall in October and November. These fruits are inedible, the juice acid and milky, but squirrels relish the small seeds buried inside the pulp. When the fruits drop, they can be very messy and, for this reason, male, fruitless trees should be selected if you plant this tree.
Osage-Orange is thorny, just like true citrus trees, and forms thickets if left to grow on its own. However, there are thornless cultivars available. Osage-Orange should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil. This tough, native plant can withstand almost anything once established - heat, cold, wind, drought, poor soil, ice storms, vandalism - but appreciates regular watering when young until it is established. As for pests and diseases of Osage orange, there are none of major concern.
It is reported that the Osage Indians made their hunting bows from this beautiful and hard wood, and it is also used to make furniture. From April to June, Osage-Orange puts out its inconspicuous green flowers but these are followed by the very conspicuous fruits. The fruits are four to five-inch-diameter, roughtextured, heavy green balls which ripen to yellowgreen and fall in October and November. These fruits are inedible, the juice acid and milky, but squirrels relish the small seeds buried inside the pulp. When the fruits drop, they can be very messy and, for this reason, male, fruitless trees should be selected if you plant this tree.
Osage-Orange is thorny, just like true citrus trees, and forms thickets if left to grow on its own. However, there are thornless cultivars available. Osage-Orange should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil. This tough, native plant can withstand almost anything once established - heat, cold, wind, drought, poor soil, ice storms, vandalism - but appreciates regular watering when young until it is established. As for pests and diseases of Osage orange, there are none of major concern.
