Osage Orange (Bodark) Tree: Identification, History, and Thornless Cultivars

Visiting Master Gardeners, I asked: "Anyone heard of bodark tree?" Wrinkled brows, perplexed looks. "Who knows Osage-orange?" Most hands up. "That's the one with fruit like monkey brains!"

J.B. describes near Georgia Dome: "Fruit size of small grapefruit, lime green. Skin convoluted, curved like brain. Meat pleasant, citrus fragrance. Looked like avocado inside—green mushy with small seeds."

M.R.: British friends in Dallas saw tree called "Bois d'Arc" or "bodark."

Bodark, Osage-orange, hedge apple, monkey-brain tree all refer to Maclura pomifera, native tree of great utility. Wood extremely strong, rot-resistant. Long-lived fence posts; thorny tree widely planted as natural fence in Midwest.

Native Americans used strong, limber branches for bows. French trappers called it Bois du Arc (Wood of the Bow). Bodark evolved from that. Native heritage and fruit smell explain Osage-orange name.

MULBERRY KIN

Fruit distinctive: hundreds of seeds surrounded by juicy pith. Resembles swollen green mulberry. Squirrels love interior. Shredded green flakes on limbs or at base.

BUG REPELLENT?

Years ago info circulated that fruit/juice repels roaches. Flurry of interest but effect never shown significant. Some note fruit squashes insects 100% effectively! Prehistoric children used fruit as ammunition.

REPLACEMENT FOR BRADFORD PEAR?

Dr. Michael Dirr: Osage-orange grows upright-spreading, leathery lustrous dark green leaves. Kansas researcher selected "almost thornless" varieties more attractive, faster-growing than Bradford pear. Thornless 'White Shield' available from Sunshine Nursery (580-323-6259).

TREE IDENTIFICATION SITE

Don't recognize a tree? Master Gardener Stacy Freeman sent excellent Ohio Public Library site. Search by leaf shape or fruit characteristics. Traced monkey-brain fruit quickly to Osage-orange.

MORE INFORMATION

Osage Orange
Virginia Tech Tree Identification
National Arbor Day Tree ID

Osage orange fruit