Osage Orange

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Maclura pomifera

Last reviewed: September 2026

Osage orange is a thorny deciduous tree that blooms in March, April, and May and produces large, wrinkled green fruit in fall. It tolerates dry, rocky soils and hot summers common across the south-central plains.

Toxicity unknown

Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Osage Orange as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–480" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AR, OK, TX

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Osage Orange is a large, hardy deciduous tree native to Texas with a broad, rounded crown. It produces distinctive large, green, bumpy fruits and has thorny branches, making it better suited for rural or large property settings than suburban landscapes.

Growing Osage Orange

Grow Osage Orange in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Osage Orange takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Best suited for backyard or with special approval

Wildlife value

The tree provides nesting sites for birds and the large fruits attract various wildlife. Wind-pollinated flowers support some beneficial insects during spring blooming period.

Common questions

When does Osage orange bloom?: Osage orange typically blooms in March, April, and May, with small, inconspicuous flowers that appear before the large green fruit forms later in the season.
How much water does Osage orange need?: It grows best with medium moisture but tolerates low water and extended dry spells once established, making it a good fit for hot, drought-prone areas.
How much light does Osage orange need?: Osage orange grows best in full sun and can also tolerate part sun, though it flowers and fruits most heavily with more direct light.
What kind of growth habit does Osage orange have?: It grows as a medium-sized deciduous tree, often with a rounded crown and sharp thorns along the branches, and can form dense thickets if left unpruned.
Is Osage Orange toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Osage Orange as toxic to livestock.
Is Osage Orange HOA-friendly?: Osage Orange takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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Common questions

When does Osage orange bloom?

Osage orange typically blooms in March, April, and May, with small, inconspicuous flowers that appear before the large green fruit forms later in the season.

How much water does Osage orange need?

It grows best with medium moisture but tolerates low water and extended dry spells once established, making it a good fit for hot, drought-prone areas.

How much light does Osage orange need?

Osage orange grows best in full sun and can also tolerate part sun, though it flowers and fruits most heavily with more direct light.

What kind of growth habit does Osage orange have?

It grows as a medium-sized deciduous tree, often with a rounded crown and sharp thorns along the branches, and can form dense thickets if left unpruned.

Is Osage Orange toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Osage Orange as toxic to livestock.

Is Osage Orange HOA-friendly?

Osage Orange takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides