Maclura pomifera - Osage Orange - €17 per plant   

Osage orange is an interesting and unusual tree that does best in moist, well-drained soil and prefers full sun. Once established, they can withstand a wide range of soil types. It is tolerant of dry sites, bearing long, tough and incredibly sharp thorns, making it a top choice as a defensive hedge. Fruits are inedible although as large as grapefruits. It's a great tree for areas with poor soils where other woody plants may struggle. To order this plant please contact us: [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Southeastern N. America - Arkansas to Texas
  • native habitat: Woods, fields and thickets
  • family: Moraceae

Predators

  • Deer do eat Osage-oranges, Cows tend to choke on them. Squirrels strip out the seeds and eat them, so only dropped seeds are dispersed.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi shade or Full sun
  • soil pH:  acid (mild)-neutral -basic alkaline (mild) 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
  • Prefers well drained soil
  • Can grow in nutritionally poor soil
  • Tolerates maritime exposure and moderate winds

Known Hazards

  • The milky sap can cause dermatitis in some people. 
Overview​
  • Deciduous tree growing to 15 m by 12m at a medium rate
  • It is in flower in May - June and the seeds ripen from September - December
  • The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant is not self-fertile. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil
  • Suitable pH: mildy acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. 
  • Can tolerate maritime exposure and moderate winds

Characteristics

  • form:  Deciduous tree  
  • layer :Lower Canopy
  • habit: Standard
  • height: 15m
  • Years to bearing fruit: Sexually mature by 8-12 years of age and fully productive as fruit- bearers by 25 years of age. Maximum fruiting age is around 70 years

Products 

  • Fruit:The fruits that develop on female trees are large and can have up to a 6in. diameter and are globular. Inedible due to being very astringent. They are yellow-green with a surface pattern similar to the pattern seen on an orange but more prominent. 
  • Leaves: The leaves are alternate and simple with an egg shape. They are green in the summer and turn yellow in the autumn.
  • Wood: The wood has the highest heating value of any commonly available North American wood, and burns long and hot.
    Osage orange wood is more rot-resistant than most, making good fence posts  ​

Functions, behaviours

  • Can have an invasive tendency on idle and unmanaged lands.
  • Tolerant of heavy pruning
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project