Osage Orange Tree Seeds (Maclura pomifera)
Osage Orange Tree Seeds (Maclura pomifera)
Living fence. Thorny heritage. Rugged charm.
Maclura pomifera, the Osage Orange, is a hardy North American native once prized by Indigenous tribes for its strong, flexible wood—ideal for crafting bows. With thorny branches, dense growth, and large, wrinkled green fruit, this rugged tree has long been valued as a natural fence, windbreak, and homestead staple. Today, it continues to shine as a wildlife refuge and a symbol of frontier resilience.
- Native to the south-central United States
- Produces large, inedible but striking “hedge apples”
- Extremely durable, rot-resistant wood with historical significance
- Forms dense, thorny hedges once used as natural fencing
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Maclura pomifera
- Stratification: Required (30–60 days cold stratification after soaking or scarification)
- USDA Zones: 4–9
- Soil: Tolerates clay, drought, and poor soils
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 20–40 feet
- Spread: 20–40 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Why Grow Osage Orange?
- Natural fencing: Dense, thorny branches create living barriers
- Wildlife habitat: Provides cover and nesting sites
- Historic value: A tree rooted in American frontier tradition
FAQ
Do Osage Orange trees produce edible fruit?
No. The large green “hedge apples” are not edible for humans, but they are valued for ornamental and historical purposes.
Will one tree be enough for a hedge?
For a true living fence, plant multiple seeds or seedlings in a row to create dense, thorny growth.
How long until it grows large enough to provide cover?
With its moderate to fast growth rate, Osage Orange establishes quickly, offering cover and barrier within just a few years.
Evergreen Seed Co. Promise
Every order from Evergreen Seed Co. is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with detailed growing instructions—helping you plant not just trees, but history and legacy.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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