Handbook of Thkes of the x^ortheen States and Canada. 203 



Tlie Osage Orange attains the height of 50 

 or GO ft. wlien growing in the forest. When 

 growing ajjurt from otluT trcfs it lias a short 

 tliick trunk from 18 in. to S ft. in dianiclcr, 

 and then divides into a few large limlis wliicli 

 send ont nniny eoninionly cnrved branches and 

 form a symmetiical rouniicd or dome-shapeii 

 top, with lower branehes drooping nearly to 

 the gronnd. The bark of trnnk is deeply fnr- 

 rowed and of an orange brown eolor, and the 

 stiff branches are beset with many short thick 

 axillary spur-like spines. Its lustrous leaves 

 and good habit of growth make it a desirable 

 tree for ornamental purposes, for which use, 

 however, the pistillate trees are preferable, as 

 their beauty is greatly enhanced in summer by 

 their large conspicuous orange-like fruit. 



The Osage Orange is excellently adapted to 

 use in hedges and is extensively planted for 

 that purpose. Through this agency it has be- 

 come widely naturalized, over a considerable 

 portion of the United States, though inhabit- 

 ing naturally only the limited area shown on 

 our map. 



The wood is heavy, a cubic foot when abso- 

 lutely dry weighing 48.21 pounds, very strong 

 and durable, and is valued for railway ties. 

 fence posts, the hubs of wheels, etc. Formerly 

 it was a favorite wood witli the Indians, of 

 the region in which it grows, for their liows. 

 and from this fact it is commonly called in those 

 regions " Bowvond " or, by the French in- 

 habitants, " Bois d'Aic." - 



For botanical characters see description of 

 the genus, this being the only species. 3 



1. Sj-n. Madura aurantiaca Nutt. 



2. A. W., XII, 291. 



3. For pcnus see p. 4.34. 



