| Positive | starfarmer | On Nov 28, 2008, starfarmer from Ann Arbor, MI wrote: Although the "Dangers" field of this entry comments on the sharp and dangerous throns of Maclura, in fact this cultivar is the *thornless* variety of Osage Orange.
While the species is excellent for barrier hedges and will do fine for wildlife shelterbelts, it has always been a shame that such a tough, attractive and carefree tree has been unsuitable for street and lawn use because of its wicked thorns; it was a situation Osage Orange had in common with the species form of Honey Locust, with which it grows in the riverine central midwest.
Fortunately for every American city north of the subtropics, thornless varieties of Honey Locust (notably "Moraine", "Shademaster", "Sunburst" and "Skyline") became common beginning in the 1940s.
Unfortunately, until recently, there have not been equivalent thornless varieties of Osage Orange, but now with the emergence of "White Shield", there is. According to the U of Arkansas Ft Smith Arboretum "'White Shield', a male, thornless and fruitless variety with glossy foliage was found in western Oklahoma on White Shield Creek and was named after a Cheyenne chief."
By the way, if you are familiar with the general form and appearance of any of the heartleaf fruitless mulberry varieties, you'll have a good idea of the form and appearance of "White Shield" (not surprising since both are members of the Moraceae, or Mulberry family).
A great tree with a great future, if sufficient propagation and promotion occurs.
Name note: As documented by Janet Lembke, in addition to the common names listed above, the tree is known as "Bodark" and, simply, "Hedge".
|
One vendor has this plant for sale.
