| 0 | Ames 36329 | Country Club | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Iowa, United States | NC7 |  | Not Available | 2025 | COLLECTED | 2020 | Des Moines Golf and County Club (1600 Jordan Creek Parkway - West Des Moines, Iowa 50266) just southwest of University Avenue and Jordan Creek Parkway intersection, T78N R26W NW ¼ Sec. 2. | 41.59634700, -93.82323000 | 307 | Previously (historically) a fence-line. Specimen retained and incorporated into golfcourse. | Clone | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. This accession represents a clonal selection collected from a specimen growing in central Iowa (Dallas County) that is confirmed as a thornless, male. It has been tentatively named Country Club as the original specimen is located on the grounds of the Des Moines Golf & County Club. Aerial photograph from the 1930's show the specimen's obvious presence at that time. It is estimated to be approximately 150 years in age as of 2025. In 2009, the specimen was estimated by Andrew P. Schmitz (The Brenton Arboretum) and Guy Sternberg (Starhill Forest Arboretum) at 42 feet in height and an average spread of 60 feet. | 2191633 | Ames 36329 |
| 1 | Ames 36028 | JDC/MP/2023/014/1046 | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Iowa, United States | NC7 | _thumbnail.jpg "Click for 3 image(s) for this accession.") | | 2022 | COLLECTED | 11/02/2022 | Located 8.0 miles northeast of Boone where Montgomery Creek crosses V Avenue, T85N R25W NW 1/4 SW 1/4 Sec. 34 | 42.12911400, -93.75509100 | 295 | Previously grazed pasture. | Uncertain improvement status | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. This accession represents genetics collected from a naturalized population in central Iowa (Boone County - Harrison Township). Majority of specimens sampled averaged approximately 40-45’ in height with multiple (e.g. 1-5) trunks. The collection site represents a recognized Iowa Century Farm awarded in 1976 that was originally settled by Andrew Nelson and then purchased on 24 October 1874 for the amount of '9.00 per acre by Lester S. Carlson. According to Samuel Keith Carlson (grandson to Lester S. Carlson), in the 1930's-1940's there was a fence line plus a few additional specimens of significant size that were possibly planted by Lester S. Carlson in the 1870's or the previous owner during "hedge mania" in the 1850's. In the 1950's the original trees at the Carlson farm were removed, but the progeny have persisted throughout the woods and adjacent pasture areas and continue to spread. A corner fence post of Osage that was set in 1874 by Lester S. Carlson shortly after purchasing the property still remains (see image). Majority of the specimens in this population are nearly thornless or with relatively few thorns. Fruit sizes range between 70-90 mm in diameter with seed lengths ranging from 6.99 (min) to 11.687 (max) with the average length of 50 seeds at 9.36 mm. At time of collection (2 November 2022) approximately 20% of specimens were at peak, yellow fall color, while remaining specimens were still green. | 2141741 | Ames 36028 |
| 2 | Ames 33752 | Ames 33752 | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Iowa, United States | NC7 |  | | 2016 | COLLECTED | 10/05/2016 | Deer Creek watershed, T80N R23W E1/2 Sec. 18. | 41.73813000, -93.56296400 | 295 | Mixed deciduous woods, distrubed areas and also managed areas. Gentle slopes and wetlands | Uncertain improvement status | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. This collection represents germplasm from a naturalizing, reproductive population collected in central Iowa (Polk County). Majority of specimens averaged approximately 40-50’ in height with multiple (e.g. 4-5) trunks. Specimens 03-1 and 03-2 were upright in form with tighter branch angles, while 03-10 was the widest spreading of all trees. Some yellow fall color apparent at time of fruit collection (10/05/2016). Size of fruits ranged from 9.00 to 10.75 inches circumference except for tree 03-5 with fruits averaging 7.33 inches circumference. | 1942949 | Ames 33752 |
| 3 | Ames 2945 | 'K-2' | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Kansas, United States | NC7 | | Not Available | 1984 | COLLECTED | 02/08/1978 | Collected in the vicinity of highway 81 including Sumner, Sedgwick and Harvey Counties. | 37.81221100, -97.33505900 | | Roadside. | Clone | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. In the 1970's Al Ferguson (Iowa Arboretum) and John Pair (Kansas State University) evaluated select clones, typically thornless, male selections that were acquired across portions of the Midwest. This accession represents the clonal selection K-2. Based on notes by Ferguson, a total of "6 or 7 clones were collected in Kansas with three clones K-1, K-2, and K-3 selected for further evaluation" due to vigor and "relatively thornless" and "all male". A letter from Al Ferguson to John Pair in 1978, indicated "K-2 was the strongest grower" (comparison against K-1, K-2, and K-3). The first specimen of K-2 donated to NCRPIS was in 1984 by Al Ferguson. In 2006, the specimen was coppiced near the soil level to generate better wood for cutting collection. In 2024, this specimen was noted producing fruit (female) and thornless. Whether this 1984 specimen was incorrectly identified as male by Ferguson is one possibility, but other issues (e.g. propagation via rootstock suckers rather than K-2 scion; labeling mix-up; resprouting of rootstock following coppicing; etc.) may exist. In 2012, Andy Schmitz (Brenton Arboretum) propagated off the 1984 NCRPIS specimen via cuttings which resulted in propagules that formed numerous thorns. Later in 2020 and 2024, propagation by A. Schmitz was executed off a K-2 specimen located at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center, which did not develop thorns and specimens were subsequently donated to NCRPIS. Currently the 1984, 2020, and 2024 specimens are under further evaluation at NCRPIS. | 1022650 | Ames 2945 |
| 4 | Ames 2946 | 'K-3' | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Kansas, United States | NC7 | | Not Available | 1984 | COLLECTED | 02/08/1978 | Collected in the vicinity of highway 81 including Sumner, Sedgwick and Harvey Counties. | 37.47818300, -97.33344000 | | Roadside. | Clone | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. In the 1970's Al Ferguson (Iowa Arboretum) and John Pair (Kansas State University) evaluated select clones, typically thornless, male selections that were acquired across portions of the Midwest. Based on notes by Ferguson, a total of "6 or 7 clones were collected in Kansas with three clones K-1, K-2, and K-3 selected for further evaluation" due to vigor and "relatively thornless" and "all male". A letter from Al Ferguson to John Pair in 1978, indicated "K-2 was the strongest grower" (comparison against K-1, K-2, and K-3). This accession represents the selection K-3, a clonal, thornless male. | 1022651 | Ames 2946 |
| 5 | Ames 2947 | 'Keokuk' | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Iowa, United States | NC7 | | | 1984 | COLLECTED | NEAR 1980 | Along Highway 21, north of What Cheer, northwest corner of Keokuk County. | 41.46821400, -92.35496300 | | Roadside hedgerow. | Cultivar | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. In the 1970's Al Ferguson (Iowa Arboretum) and John Pair (Kansas State University) evaluated select clones, typically thornless, male selections that were acquired across portions of the Midwest. Based on notes by Ferguson, a total of "5 clones were collected along highway 21 north of What Cheer in Keokuk County Iowa with two clones named Keokuk and What Cheer selected for further evaluation" due to vigor and "relatively thornless" and "all male". This accession represents the selection Keokuk, a clonal, thornless male. | 1022658 | Ames 2947 |
| 6 | Ames 2948 | 'What Cheer' | Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid. | Iowa, United States | NC7 | | Not Available | 1984 | COLLECTED | NEAR 1980 | Along Highway 21, north of What Cheer, northwest corner of Keokuk County. | 41.43194600, -92.35583400 | | Roadside hedgerow. | Clone | The native range for Osage-orange is reported from eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and the northwestern corner of Louisiana (Little, 1971). Historically and presently known for its extreme value as bow-wood and fence posts, Osage-orange represents one of the most widely planted tree species in the lower 48 US states as a living fence starting in the mid-1800's, in the late 1900's as a landscape tree for difficult sites, and most recently it's chemical properties. Detailed history of Osage-orange and it's economic uses are well documented (Smith and Perino, 1981 and J. T. Winberry 1979). Osage wood is highly-prized for its use as fence posts (both living and non-living) and durable wood for wood working. Osage is an extremely drought and heat tolerant tree and is recommended for use in USDA cold-hardiness zones 5b or warmer. Although the species is commonly known for it's stout thorns and large, globular fruits, the species is dioecious and the degree of thorns on individual genotypes can be extremely variable. In the 1970's Al Ferguson (Iowa Arboretum) and John Pair (Kansas State University) evaluated select clones, typically thornless, male selections that were acquired across portions of the Midwest. Based on notes by Ferguson, a total of "5 clones were collected along highway 21 north of What Cheer in Keokuk County Iowa with two clones named Keokuk and What Cheer selected for further evaluation" due to vigor and "relatively thornless" and "all male". This accession represents the selection What Cheer, a clonal, thornless male. | 1022659 | Ames 2948 |