Osage Orange, Bois D'Arc
Maclura pomifera

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.

Maclura pomifera is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Woods, fields and thickets in rich bottom lands.

Southeastern N. America - Arkansas to Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

One report suggests that the fruit is edible but this is surely a mistake - although very large, the fruit is harsh, hard, dry and astringent. The fruit does, however, contain an anti-oxidant which can be used as a food preservative, especially for oils. The heartwood and the root yield a non-toxic antibiotic that is useful as a food preservative.

Medicine

Rating: 2

A tea made from the roots has been used as a wash for sore eyes. The inedible fruits contain antioxidant and fungicidal compounds. A 10% aqueous infusion and an extract diluted 1:1 have cardiovascular potentialities.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Other

Rating: 4

A yellow dye is obtained from the bark of the root and the wood. Green and orange can also be obtained from it. The sap of the fruit is used as an insect repellent. It is said to be effective against cockroaches. The bark is a source of tannin. The plant is often grown as a hedge in N. America and Europe, it is very tolerant of severe pruning, makes an effective stock-proof barrier and succeeds in maritime exposure. A hedge in a very exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall has grown well (1989), though it is very bare in winter. This species is also used in shelterbelt plantings. Wood - coarse-grained, exceedingly hard, heavy, flexible, very strong, very durable, silky, lustrous. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. One of the most durable woods in N. America, it is seldom used commercially, but is used locally for fence posts, piers, bows etc and makes an excellent fuel.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Fodder: Food given to the animals (including plants cut and carried to them) rather than forage for themselves.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Preservative: For food, or for treating wood, ropes etc.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

Shelterbelt: Wind resistant plants than can be grown to provide shelter in the garden etc.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.

Fodder: Insect: Plants grown for useful fodder insects.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Industrial Crop: Dye: Botanical dyes replacing synthetic dyes (known as heavy polluters).

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.

Fodder: Insect: Plants grown for useful fodder insects.

Industrial Crop: Dye: Botanical dyes replacing synthetic dyes (known as heavy polluters).

Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Firewood, Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Succeeds in poor soils and also in dry ones. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure. They dislike waterlogged soils. Dormant mature plants are hardy to about -20°c though the young growth in spring can be cut back by late frosts and young plants can be damaged in cold winters. Plants require hot summers to fully ripen their wood if they are to thrive in areas with cold winters. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in pots in a cold frame. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in warm water and stratify for 2 months at 4°c then sow in a cold frame. Germination is normally good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed stores for 3 years. If growing larger quantities of plants, it is probably best to sow the seed in an open seed bed. Grow the plants on for a couple of years in the seed bed before planting them out into their permanent positions. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood, November to January in a frame. Layering in summer. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a greenhouse and plant out as soon as possible. Good percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The milky sap can cause dermatitis in some people. An extract and the juice of the fruit is toxic, though a 10% aqueous infusion and extract diluted 1:1 are not toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. aurantiaca. Toxylon pommifera.

Osage Orange, Bois D'Arc Maclura pomifera