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Osage Orange Tree Facts
Osage Orange Tree Facts. The Osage orange tree, or Maclura pomifera, takes its name from the Osage Indian tribe, which lived near where the tree originally grew. Osage orange is native primarily to the area of the Red River Valley in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas.
The Osage orange tree, or Maclura pomifera, takes its name from the Osage Indian tribe, which lived near where the tree originally grew. Osage orange is native primarily to the area of the Red River Valley in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas.
Description
Osage orange trees may grow into large shrubs or small trees, reaching to about 20 to 30 feet high. The trees are distinguished by their glossy leaves and sharp thorns.
Fruits
The fruits of the Osage orange -- sometimes called hedge apples -- look like bumpy, wrinkled green balls. They can reach up to 6 inches around, and often remain on the tree after the leaves have fallen. The fruits are filled with a sticky, white juice and hundreds of small seeds.
Uses
The Osage orange tree was commonly planted as a living hedge to establish property boundaries. Farmers and ranchers might also use it as a windbreak or as a method of preventing erosion. The wood is decay-resistant and was employed by Osage Indian archers to make bows, according to the USDA Forest Service.
