Maclura Pomifera

Osage orange tree, Maclura pomifera, is a deciduous tree from North America, belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae.

It is a vigorous, thorny tree, traditionally used for hedges, windbreaks and durable boundary planting. Its dense branching and strong thorns make it especially effective as a living barrier.

The tree has simple, glossy green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Female trees can produce large, yellow-green, wrinkled fruits in autumn, often known as hedge apples or Osage oranges.

These unusual fruits are ornamental rather than dessert fruit. They contain a sticky, milky sap and are not grown for fresh eating.

Maclura pomifera is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Fruit is therefore produced on female trees, especially when pollination is possible.

The wood is very hard, yellow to orange in colour, and historically valued for bows, fence posts and other durable uses.

Osage orange grows best in full sun and in well-drained soil. Once established, it is a tough tree, suitable for hedgerows, shelter planting and ornamental collections.