Care & Conditions for an Osage Orange Tree

Maclura pomifera, also known as Osage orange or hedgeapple, is a type of fast-growing deciduous tree that, despite what its names suggest, is completely unrelated to both orange and apple trees. Prized for their characteristic inedible fruits, which are spherical and bumpy, Osage oranges are easy-to-grow trees that can be successfully cultivated with very little special care. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 provide the climate that Osage orange trees need to thrive.

Sunlight

Osage orange is a sun-loving deciduous tree that grows best when exposed to six or more hours of bright, direct sunlight per day. Making sure that the tree is exposed to plenty of sunlight will help to ensure healthy root, branch, foliage and fruit development. Without adequate sunlight, Osage orange trees may fail to bloom or produce their characteristic inedible fruit, and may suffer from dull-looking foliage.

Soil

Osage orange trees are tolerant of a wide variety of soil types, but perform best in sandy, loamy and clay soils. When growing Osage orange, soil drainage is far more important to successful cultivation than soil type. Osage orange trees require moist, well-draining soil to thrive. Though Osage orange trees are more tolerant of brief periods of soil flooding than many other types of deciduous trees, prolonged soil flooding should be avoided as it can promote root rot and may invite fungal disease.

Water

Osage orange trees grown in full sun locations require frequent irrigation to maintain uniformly moist soil. Provide young Osage orange trees with 1 inch of supplemental irrigation per week until they have had an opportunity to establish strong root systems. Reduce watering to just 1 inch of supplemental irrigation every two weeks for established trees. Withhold supplemental irrigation during weeks in which the tree receives a comparable amount of rainfall.

Fertilizer

Osage orange trees only require supplemental fertilization for the first four years of growth. After the fourth year, the root systems of Osage orange trees are capable of taking their nutrients directly from the soil without any assistance from you. Young Osage orange trees should be fertilized in the early spring, before new growth is observed, with a balanced, water soluble tree fertilizer. For best results, consult the application instructions on the fertilizer packaging.

References

• "The Gardener's Guide to Planting and Growing Trees"; Mike Buffi; 2007
• "The Essential Garden"; Liz Dobbs; 2002
• University of Florida: Maclura pomifera (Osage Orange)
• University of Connecticut: Maclura pomifera (Osage Orange)

Resources

• Virginia Tech: Osage Orange
• Vanderbilt University: Osage Orange