Osage Orange

Arbor walk #45, TreeKeeper ID #2621

This medium-sized tree has a short trunk and rounded crown. It produces large fruit (8-15 cm in diameter) which is roughly spherical, bumpy, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall. The tree is not related to the Orange tree, and its common name refers to the coloration of its bark and the superficial resemblance of its fruit to an orange rather than any genetic relationship. While the wild-type tree does bear inedible, grapefruit-sized fruit which is most closely related to a fig, the ‘White Shield’ cultivar does not bear fruit. This fruitless variety is generally chosen to be planted alongside trees and sidewalks where the fruit will not become an impediment to the walkway. It is also thornless, and has better heat and drought tolerance compared to the species tree.

Common NameOsage Orange
Latin NameMaclura pomifera
Indigenous Name(s) 
Cultivar/Variety ‘White Shield’
Commercial Name 

Take a Look Around