Notes on Osage Orange 13 



make a beautiful and effective live fence and because of this it 

 was more widely planted than any other species in the prairie 

 region. At present, however, the planting of Osage orange for 

 hedge fences has practically ceased and in many cases the 

 hedges are being cut down for the posts that may be secured. 

 Taking everything into consideration it has been found that a 

 wire fence can be placed and maintained for a less cost and give 

 better service than a hedge fence. The planting of this species 

 is now largely confined to plantations on favorable sites, for the 

 purpose of producing fence posts. 



In nature or in plantations it does not reproduce well, 

 hence planting becomes of more than ordinary significance. It 

 does, however, reproduce well from root sprouts or from coppice 

 growth. It is comparatively light demanding but will stand 

 crowding better than most species. It adapts itself readily to a 

 great variety of soil and climatic conditions and is rarely in- 

 jured severely by drought. The hardiness of this tree depends 

 largely on the site upon which it is planted. In the northern 

 portion of its silvicultural range, it frequently winter kills 

 and if cultivation has been practiced to conserve the moisture 

 supply, it should cease during early August. This will allow the 

 ground to dry out sufficiently to cause the wood to ripen up in 

 good shape. When this is done, the Osage orange may be suc- 

 cessfully grown as far northwest in Nebraska as Lewellen, at an 

 altitude of 3300 feet. 



The average life of a seasoned Osage fence post is said 

 to be approximately thirty years, but there are numerous ex- 

 amples of much greater durability. It is usually classed with 

 red cedar as to durability but has the advantage of much greater 

 strength. The Sante Fe Railway system has given preference 

 to this species for post material and is using it along the right 

 of way as far west as New Mexico. A disadvantage in using 

 this species for fence posts is the difficulty with which the sea- 

 soned wood takes the staple; also a green post in drying will 

 check and the staples will drop out. This is frequently over- 

 come by tying the wire to the posts by means of other wire. 



Few if any other native woods have the rich lustre of this 

 species. The wood is very heavy, weighing 48 pounds per cubic 

 foot. The heartwood is of a bright orange color, which turns 

 brown on exposure; but the sap wood is a light yellow. Annual 

 rings are clearly marked and the wood is close grained. Its 

 adaptability for the highest class of furniture or inside decora- 

 tion is limited only by the lack of production. 



The methods of seed dissemination of this species have 

 long been in doubt. For a considerable length of time the 



