Osage-Orange
Maclura pomifera 
Osage-orange was planted in Missouri by the Native Americans to supply them with wood for their bows. It has become naturalized over much of the agricultural region of the state from its use in hedgerows. The very hard and durable wood is used for fence posts.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 45 ft
- Spread
- 45 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, simple, oblong, 3" - 5" long, tapering to a long pointed tip; edges smooth, shiny dark green
- Flowers
- male and female flowers on separate trees; tiny green flowers small clusters
- Fruit
- yellow-green, 4" - 5" in diameter with a warty surface
- Bark
- greenish, fissured when young; older bark orange and brown; branches with thorns
- Associated species
- red mulberry, eastern redcedar, American plum, hawthorn, sumac
- Ideal site conditions
- wide range, full sun
- Value to man
- wood products, windbreaks
- Value to wildlife
- food, cover
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
