The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Wichita Osage-orange, Wichita hedge-apple

Family: Moraceae (mulberry family)

Distribution: Species native to s.-c. United States, Mexico

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: A deciduous tree with simple, glossy, dark green leaves. The greenish flowers are insignificant but this male selection means no large, green fruit produced as on female specimens. Mostly thornless. This vigorous clone can grow 30-40' tall and wide, usually low-branched. Found in the wild on the Glen Goering farm near Wichita, Kansas in 1978. Very adaptable and tough tree, tolerating even poor, wet or dry soils and is deer browse resistant. Use as a shade tree or a windbreak. Best sited in full sun, moist, well-drained soil.