Osage farm

[Little John]

Just wondering if any one has planted or pondered planting a stand of osage trees for future profit or for posterity. Looks like if someone had a little chunk of land and wanted to do the work he could soon have an osage forest, just keep pruned and watered and in 15-20 years could have hundreds of premium staves. I might do just a few as not really enough water to do a bunch. I think they can stand northern or southern climates.      Kenneth

[avcase]

The trees I planted from seed 5 years ago and the trees are already big enough to make bows.  These trees can grow frighteningly fast!
-Alan

[wannabe]

Do they grow in extreme NW Minnesota?

[Parnell]

How about S Florida with no real freeze?

[kylerprochaska]

What about sandy areas?...Ive got some land to plant but its pretty sandy stuff

-Ky

[broad_head]

Hi All
        I live in the UK and have started to grow osage, most are only about 18 inches high, so I have a while to go before I have bow staves. The winter frost kills about 3 inches of each branch tip, but this does not stop it from regrowing in the spring. The plan is to get it established in the UK but at this stage I am not sure how well it will do in our climate. I would be interested to know if any mature osage is growing here?
PS There is an intersting thread on paleo plannet about growing trees/bow wood.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Peter.

[wannabe]

Well, I looked up Maclura pomifera (Osage Orange) and found that it grows in USDA Hardiness zones 5-9. I'm in zone 2-3. Maybe I could graft a stem onto a tree root that's hardy for our area.

[Justin Snyder]

I planted 170 trees.  Not all trees are created equal. It grows different in different climates and the density/quality of the wood is different.

[knap_123]

i've been planteing in the soil around creeks and rivers.  it seems to like it here quite well in central al. it grows like crazy 1 hr. south of me and north al.  i see a future were the big fruits fall in a FLOODED CREEK, GET SWEPT DOWN FARTHEr and start all over again.  sometimes i'll drive with my window down aND TOSS OUT SEEDS IN GOOD LOOKING SPOTS.

[The Gopher]

so where can a fella get a handful of osage seeds?

[bobnewboy]

Hi Peter,

I bought an osage sapling from MarkinEngland, and it's now up to about 5 feet.  Growing well in my overcrowded back garden. I'll give it another 5-10 years and there might be something useful there 

[sweeney3]

Get the seeds from those green "hedge apples" you see on em.  They seem to grow darn well in Kansas and Arkansas. 

[knap_123]

whats your address and i'll send you a orange

[sulphur]

remember everybody, if osage does grow well when you transplant it it can quickly take over.  it grows like weeds in east tex and can ruin pastures in a hurry.  all those thorns and tennis balls can get real annoying if planted close to your yard.  just a few things to keep in mind

[mullet]

 I've got probally the only two growing in Central Florida, next to the Ipe tree. The Osage is 4 years old and not much taller than the 24"when I planted it. Lots of fertilizer and rain but not much growth. I think it's too hot here.