Handbook of Tbe.es of the ISToktiieen States and Canada. 203 



The Osage Omiige attains tlie height of 5(1 

 nr GU ft. when gvuMini; in the forest. When 

 growing apart from otiier trees it lias a slunl 

 thieiv trunl^ from IS in. to 3 ft. in Jianieler. 

 and then divides into a few hirge limbs wliicli 

 send out many commonly curved branches and 

 form a symmetrical roundeil or dcMne-sha|ied 

 to|i, with lower Ijranches ilroo|iing nearly tn 

 the griaunl. The bark of trunk is deeply fur- 

 roweil and of an orange brown color, and the 

 !?tilV 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 wdiich use, 

 however, the pistillate trees are preferable, a.s 

 their beauty is greatly cnhanceil in summer liy 

 their large conspicuous orangedike fruit. 



The Osage Orange is exctdiently adapted to 

 use in hedges and is extensively planted for 

 that purpose. Through this agency it has be- 

 eonie widely naturalized, over a considerable 

 portion of the United States, thorigh inhabit- 

 ing naturally only the limited area shown on 

 our map. 



Tlie wood is lieavy. a cubic foot "when al^so 

 Intidy dry weighing 4,S.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 with the Indians, of 

 the region in which it grows, for their bows, 

 and from this fact it is commonl.v called in those 

 regions " Bow wood" or, by the French in- 

 habitants, " Bois d'A re." - 



For botanical characters see descri|ition of 

 the genus, this being the only species. 3 



1. Syn. Mavliiia aiiniuliiivii .Xiitt. 



2. A. W., XII. 291. 



■\. For j;eDus see p. 434. 



