33 



OSAGE ORANGE. 



Osage orange is the common hedge tree of the Middle West ; in fact 

 the name given to it in many places is simply " hedge," with no other 

 designation. It is the slowest-growing tree in the list, but this is 

 compensated for by its hardiness. Osage orange is one of the best 

 species for upland planting, and when once started will live without 

 cultivation almost anywhere in western Kansas. Like the red cedar, 

 its tenacity is great, and it looks well even when the grass crowds it so 

 that a dozen years are required for it to increase an inch in diameter. 

 Favorable situations and good care bring corresponding results in the 

 rate of growth, as will be noted in the table, which shows an increment 

 varying from one-third to one-thirteenth of an inch in diameter a 

 year. 



Osage orange adapts itself to a wide range of soil, and in this re- 

 spect is somewhat superior to honey locust, but it winterkills in places 

 in Nebraska where the latter does not. In sandy regions considerable 

 complaint is made of damage to the roots by pocket gophers. The 

 wood is extremely tough and durable, and is unsurpassed for fuel and 

 fence posts. Because Osage orange is so generally planted for hedges 

 it is only occasionally practicable to make measurements and estimate 

 possible commercial returns. A good example was found, however, in 

 southern Barber County, in the valley of a small creek, where perma- 

 nent water is 10 feet below the surface, with a coarse sandy soil of 

 the Red Bed type. Here an 18-year-old hedge has been kept pruned 

 up 6 feet from the ground and forced to develop into good form. 

 Twenty-five rods of the hedge contain 193 trees, averaging 25 feet high 

 and ranging from 1.6 to 9 inches in diameter breasthigh, with an 

 average of 3.7 inches. If cut, these 193 trees would make 340 stakes 

 and 151 posts, worth 10 and 15 cents each, respectively, or a total 

 of $56.65. As it is practicable in a like situation to grow 2,500 posts 

 per acre in twenty years, it is evident that in favored localities com- 

 mercial planting of the Osage orange would be profitable. The best 

 method of treatment is to plant thickly, so that less pruning will be 

 necessary, and then cut as soon as post size is reached. A new crop 

 will quickly be made by the sprouts. 



Another case of excellent growth is at Hays. A 17-year-old hedge 

 in the valley of Big Creek has been trimmed up like the one just 

 mentioned, and though water is about twice as iar from the surface, 

 the rate of growth is even better. Twenty trees taken consecutively 

 in the row averaged 25 feet high and 6.4 inches in diameter, the best 

 tree being 13.6 inches in diameter at breastheight. These 20 trees 

 will make 22 stakes and 47 posts of the usual size. 



LCir. 161.] 



