Bare Root Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)

Deciduous, North American tree
Description: Lustrous, bright green leaves which turn a good yellow in the fall. Unusual, large yellow-green fruits form in the fall on female trees
Habit: Fast growing, to a height of 20-40 feet with a comparable spread.
Culture: Resilient in the landscape, withstands extremes of drought, moisture, heat and cold. Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 through 9
Origin: Central United States
Attributes: Showy fruits; Drought tolerant
Jefferson documented

The Osage Orange, also known as the boise d’arc or "Bowdarc," was an important resource in the development of the American frontier. Its bright-yellow wood, which is extremely rot resistant, was an exceptional building material and used for wooden handles and bows. During the nineteenth-century, however, the tree became famous as a "living fence" material for hedgerows. Today, many mature rows of Osage Orange still mark ancient fence lines. Meriwether Lewis sent "Osage-apple" to Thomas Jefferson on March 26, 1804, who in turn sent samples to William Hamilton of Philadelphia. Hamilton reported his success in growing the plant to Jefferson in 1808.

This species is dioecious, meaning a male and a female plant are both required for pollination and fruit set. Our plants are unsexed due to their immaturity; we recommend purchasing more than one plant to increase the likelihood of fruit production, including berries and seeds.

This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 2' tall.

Bare root planting tips:

~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.
~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.
~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.