Life Span
Biennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Tree
Origin
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Types
Yellow Birch, Paper Birch, River Birch
Maclura pomifera
Number of Varieties
401
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Hills, Moist Soils
Grassland, Hillside, Humid climates, Roadsides, Woods
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-94-10
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
2a, 2b, 3a, 10, 11, 12, 13
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Oval or Rounded
Plant Size
Minimum Height
2,133.60 cm760.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
762.00 cm1,219.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow, Brown
Yellow green
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Black
Green
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Yellow, Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Medium
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Average
Bloom Time
Spring
Spring, Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water Deeply, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
Do Not over Water, Requires regular watering, Water Deeply, Water when soil is dry
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize twice a year, Nitrogen
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
-
-
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Ants, Aphids, Birds
-
Allergy
-
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
-
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
-
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders, Urinary tract problems
Cancer, Tooth ache, Urinary tract problems
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Leaves, Sap
Bark, Flowers, Fruits
Other Uses
Medicinal oil, Used as essential oil
Used as an insecticide, Wood log is used in making fences
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Mixed Border, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Botanical Name
BETULA nigra 'Studetec'
MACLURA pomifera
Common Name
Black Birch, River Birch, Tecumseh Compact River Birch
Bois d’arc, Hedge Apple, Osage Orange
In Hindi
काले बर्च वृक्ष
ओसेज संतरे
In German
Schwarze Birke
Osage Orange
In French
Noir Bouleau
Osage orange
In Spanish
Negro del árbol de abedul
Osage naranja
In Greek
Μαύρο Birch Tree
Osage Πορτοκαλί
In Portuguese
Bétula Preto
Osage laranja
In Polish
Czarny Brzoza
Osage Pomarańczowy
In Latin
Niger Caerulus
Aliquam Osage
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Rosales
Family
Betulaceae
Moraceae
Genus
Betula
Maclura
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Moreae
Subfamily
-
-
Number of Species
401
1
27800
👆🏻