Handbook of Tkeks of the Xoimii kkx Sia; 



2or 



Tlie Osage Orange attains the height of oD 

 or (JO ft. wlu'ii growing in the forest. W hen 

 growing apart fnnii otlicr trees it has a short 

 thick trunk from 18 in. to 3 ft. in diameter, 

 and then divides into a few hirge linihs which 

 send out nuiny coninionly curved branches and 

 form a symmetrical rounded or dome-shaped 

 top, with lower branches drooping nearly to 

 the ground. The baik of trunk is deejily fur- 

 rowed and of an orange brown color, and the 

 stilt" brandies are beset with many short thick 

 axillary spur like s])ines. Its lustrous leaves 

 and good habit of growtli make it a desirable 

 tree for ornamental purposes, for which use, 

 however, the pistillate trees are preferable, as 

 tlieir beauty is greatly enhanced in summer by 

 their large conspicuous orange-like fruit. 



The Osage Orange is excellentlj^ adapted to 

 use in hedges and is extensively planted for 

 that purpose. Through this agency it has be- 

 come widely naturalized, over a consideral)le 

 portion of the Tnited 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 4S.21 pounds, very strong 

 and durable, and is valued for railway ties, 

 fence posts, the inibs of wheels, etc. Formerly 

 it was a favorite wood witli tiie Indians, of 

 the region in whicli it grows, for tlieir bows. 

 and from this fact it is commonly called inthoso 

 regions " Boictr.ood " or, by the French in 

 habitants, " Bois d'Arc." - 



For botanical characters see description of 

 the genus, this being the only species. 3 



1. Syn. Madura auraiitiaca Nutt. 



2. A. W., XII, 291. 



3. For genus see p. 434. 



