Maclura pomifera

Osage Orange

Tips for Homeowners:

Plant male cultivars if fruit litter is an issue.  If fruit is left on the ground the fruit rots and becomes smelly.

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This tree does has plenty of reasons why not to use it in the landscape, but in the right place will tolerate tough growing conditions.

  • Tough and durable
  • Pest- and wind-damage resistant
  • Yellow-green or yellow color in fall

Plant where this tree has plenty of room to grow, away from children and primarily in rural areas.

Height: 35-60 ft
Spread: 35-60 ft
Zone: 4-9
Color: Green

Interesting Notes about Osage Orange:

Historically Osage Orange was a tree most associated as a barrier along a fencerow in days gone by.  It was a great way to keep the cows in and bandits out because of its spreading nature and the thorns, but eventually this method of exclusion was replaced with barbed wire.  Currently this tree is used in challenging soils, as a windbreak or as a hedge where it is out of harms way in large open spaces.  Male and female trees are needed to produce fruit on the female tree. 


Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes:

  • Salt Tolerant
  • Vigorous
  • Attractive fruit
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Heat Tolerant
  • Naturalizing
  • Fragrant
  • Disease Resistant
  • Fast Growing

Foliage Color:

  • Green

Exposure:

  • Full Sun

Critter Resistance:

  • Deer Resistant

Habit:

  • Upright

Soil Moisture:

  • Average Water