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OSAGE ORANGE. 



Maclura pomifera, (Raf.) Schneider. 



GENUS DESCRIPTION The species described on this page is the sole representative of 



this genus. 



FORM A small or medium-sized tree usually attaining a height of 20-40 ft. with a diameter 

 of 12 inches but reaches a height of 50-60 ft. with a diameter of 2-3 feet. Trunk usually 

 short, stout, often covered with dense growth of sprouts. Crown round-topped, rather 

 open, often irregular. Branches in interior of crown often covered with stiff, spiny, and 

 interlacing branchlets. 



BARK On older trunks rough, dark gray, about i-1 inch thick, longitudinally and sometimes 

 diagonally furrowed, with prominent ridges which scale off into thin close-fitting scales. On 

 branches it is thinner, pale brown tinged with yellow. Branches are often armed with straight 

 axillary spines and contain yellow pith. 



TWIGS Alternate, rather stout, at first greenish and slightly pubescent, later yeUowish- 

 brown, contain yellow pith, marked by pale yellow lenticels. Younger branches are often armed 

 with stout, straight, axillary spines and stout, spur-like, lateral branchlets. 



BUDS Alternate; terminal bud absent; equal-sized, broad, circular, with 5-7 small chestnut- 

 brown scales. 



LEAVES Alternate, simple, about 4 Inches long and 25 inches wide, ovate in outline, 

 wedge-shaped at base, acute at apex, entire on margin, dark green above, pale green below. 



LEAF-SCARS Alternate; located on twig enlargement at nodes; small to medium-sized, 

 broadly triangular to elliptical, contain usually 1 or 3 bundle-scars, sometimes more. 



FLOWERS Appear about June when leaves are almost fully developed. Staminate flowers 

 arranged in racemes on long slender drooping stalks; pistillate in dense heads with short 

 stalks. Ovary is terminated by a long, slender, hairy style. 



FRUIT Pale green, orange-like in appearance, 4-5 inches in diameter, composed of many small 

 drupes which are closely grown together. When punctured exudes a milky Juice which turns 

 black upou exposure. 



WOOD Ring-porous; rays rather inconspicuous; golden-yellow in color, streaked vertically 



with red stiipes; heavy, very hard and strong, very durable. Weighs 48.21 Ibs. per cubic 



foot. Used for fence posts, wagon felloes and rims, bridge piling, insulator pins, police 

 clubs, rustic chairs, and tobacco pipes. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Osage Orange, also known as Bowwood, Osage 

 Apple-tree, Yellow-wood, and Hedge-tree, can be distinguished by its large orange-like green 

 fruit. The twigs are armed with stout straight axillary spines, contain a milky Juice and 

 thick orange-colored pith and are covered with a light brown bark sometimes tinged with orange. 

 The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire. Wood is very bard and orange to brown in color 

 with light yellow sapwood. 



RANGE Oklahoma south to Dallas, Texas. Also reported from Arkansas. To date it has been 

 planted in possibly every State in the Union. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Introduced in practically every part of the State as a 

 hedge or ornamental tree. In many localities in the State it has escaped cultivation. 



HABITAT It is less exacting in soil than most of our trees, but when it has the privilege 

 it chooses the best. In its natural range it thrives best on the black fertile flats, and rarely 

 occurs on sandy soil. Occasionally found in swamps. Originally found in small pure stands. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The Osage Orange is not native to Pennsylvania but 

 has been planted extensively for hedge and ornamental purposes. No wood is more valuable 

 for fence posts. We have other trees which are more attractive as a hedge and the thorns 

 which the tree bears are also objectionable when it is used as a hedge. It is difficult to 

 eliminate it from an area where it has established itself. 



