🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
The fruit is not typically eaten raw by humans, but is sometimes fed to livestock. It is used as a natural insect repellent; placing the fruits around the foundation of houses is thought to deter insects. The tree is highly valued for windbreaks, erosion control, and hedgerows due to its dense, thorny branches. The wood is extremely durable and rot-resistant, making it suitable for fence posts and woodworking projects. Some cultivars are thornless and may be preferred for ease of management.
Permapeople description
Sometimes calles "Maclura pommifera" (with two M).
Botanical description
Maclura pomifera is a deciduous tree or large shrub typically reaching 30-50 feet in height. It features a short trunk, a rounded crown, and thorny branches. The leaves are alternate, simple, entire, ovate-lanceolate, and 3-5 inches long. The tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Male flowers appear in greenish catkins, while female flowers form dense, globose heads. The fruit is a large, roughly spherical, yellowish-green syncarp, 4-6 inches in diameter, with a wrinkled surface. It contains a milky latex and many small seeds. The bark is deeply furrowed and orange-brown in color.
Companion planting
Due to its aggressive root system and thorny nature, Maclura pomifera is generally not considered a good companion plant for most garden vegetables. It is better suited for use as a windbreak or hedgerow away from cultivated areas. Its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, though minimal, might indirectly benefit nearby plants over time.
Propagation methods
Propagation is typically done by seed, which requires scarification or stratification to improve germination rates. Cuttings, particularly root cuttings, can also be successful. Grafting is used to propagate specific cultivars, such as thornless varieties.
History and traditions
Native American tribes, particularly the Osage, used the strong, flexible wood of Maclura pomifera for bows, giving rise to the name 'Bois d'Arc,' meaning 'bow-wood' in French. European settlers recognized the tree's potential for hedging and quickly adopted it for that purpose, especially in the treeless plains. The fruit was sometimes used medicinally, though its primary historical significance lies in its wood.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer (May-June). The fruit ripens in the fall (September-October) and persists on the tree into winter. Planting is best done in the spring or fall. Pruning, if needed, should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.