Osage Oranges Take a Bough

The first shipment of botanical specimens sent to President Jefferson contained the seeds of thousands of miles of fences

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    In his 1803 directive outlining his goals for the expedition, President Thomas Jefferson instructed Meriwether Lewis to record "the soil & face of the country, it's growth & vegetable productions, especially those not of the U.S. [and] the dates at which particular plants put forth or lose their flower, or leaf."

    Lewis had been taught by his mother, a lay healer, about the medicinal properties of plants. And as part of his expedition preparations, Jefferson had sent him to Benjamin Smith Barton, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the first botany text published in the United States. Under Barton's tutelage, Lewis learned how to preserve and label flora. (He would bring back more than 200 plant specimens, which are preserved at the Lewis and Clark Herbarium at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.)

    In March 1804, while Lewis was in St. Louis attending the LouisianaTerritory transfer ceremonies, he sent Jefferson a shipment of botanical specimens, including live Osage apple cuttings (Maclura pomifera, now known as the Osage orange). Though they did not survive, some samples Lewis collected in 1807 did, and as Susan H. Munger writes in Common to This Country: Botanical Discoveries of Lewis and Clark, "trees growing in Philadelphia and at the University of Virginia are said to be direct descendants of the cuttings sent back by Lewis."

    The Osage orange, which Lewis obtained from Pierre Chouteau, a former Indian agent, was probably the espedition's most significant botanical discovery. The plant's long thorns created a virtually impenetrable hedge, and later in the 19th century, many thousands of miles of these trees would be planted as frontier fencing. The fragrant tree held its popularity as a barrier until it was eclipsed by barbed wire in the 1880s.

    Dear Sir,

    St. Louis March 26th 1804.

    I send you herewith inclosed, some slips of the Osages Plums, and Apples. I fear the season is too far advanced for their success. Had I earlyer learnt that these fruits were in the neighbourhood, they would have been forwarded at a more proper time....I obtained the cuttings, now sent you, from the garden of Mr. Peter Choteau, who resided the greater portion of his time for many years with the Osage nation....

    The Osage Apple is a native of the interior of the continent of North America, and is perhaps a nondiscript production; the information I have obtained with respect to it is not so minute as I could wish, nor such as will enable me to discribe it in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Peter Coteau...obtained the young plants at the great Osage vilage from an Indian of that nation.... The general contour of this tree, is very much that of the black haw, common to most parts of the U. States....So much do the savages esteem the wood of this tree for the purpose of making their bows, that they travel many hundred miles in quest of it. The particulars with respect to the fruit, is taken principally from the Indian discription; my informant never having seen but one specimen of it, which was not fully ripe, and much shrivled and mutilated before he saw it. The Indians give an extravigant account of the exquisite odour of this fruit when it has obtained maturity, which takes place the latter end of summer, or the begining of Autumn. They state, that at this season they can always tell by the scent of the fruit when they arrive in the neighbourhood of the tree, and usually take advantage of this season to obtain the wood....An opinion prevails among the Osages, that the fruit is poisonous, tho' they acknowledge that they have never tasted it. They say that many anamals feed on it, and among others, a large species of Hare which abounds in that country. This fruit is the size of the largest orange, of a globular form, and a fine orange colour....


    In his 1803 directive outlining his goals for the expedition, President Thomas Jefferson instructed Meriwether Lewis to record "the soil & face of the country, it's growth & vegetable productions, especially those not of the U.S. [and] the dates at which particular plants put forth or lose their flower, or leaf."

    Lewis had been taught by his mother, a lay healer, about the medicinal properties of plants. And as part of his expedition preparations, Jefferson had sent him to Benjamin Smith Barton, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the first botany text published in the United States. Under Barton's tutelage, Lewis learned how to preserve and label flora. (He would bring back more than 200 plant specimens, which are preserved at the Lewis and Clark Herbarium at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.)

    In March 1804, while Lewis was in St. Louis attending the LouisianaTerritory transfer ceremonies, he sent Jefferson a shipment of botanical specimens, including live Osage apple cuttings (Maclura pomifera, now known as the Osage orange). Though they did not survive, some samples Lewis collected in 1807 did, and as Susan H. Munger writes in Common to This Country: Botanical Discoveries of Lewis and Clark, "trees growing in Philadelphia and at the University of Virginia are said to be direct descendants of the cuttings sent back by Lewis."

    The Osage orange, which Lewis obtained from Pierre Chouteau, a former Indian agent, was probably the espedition's most significant botanical discovery. The plant's long thorns created a virtually impenetrable hedge, and later in the 19th century, many thousands of miles of these trees would be planted as frontier fencing. The fragrant tree held its popularity as a barrier until it was eclipsed by barbed wire in the 1880s.

    Dear Sir,

    St. Louis March 26th 1804.

    I send you herewith inclosed, some slips of the Osages Plums, and Apples. I fear the season is too far advanced for their success. Had I earlyer learnt that these fruits were in the neighbourhood, they would have been forwarded at a more proper time....I obtained the cuttings, now sent you, from the garden of Mr. Peter Choteau, who resided the greater portion of his time for many years with the Osage nation....

    The Osage Apple is a native of the interior of the continent of North America, and is perhaps a nondiscript production; the information I have obtained with respect to it is not so minute as I could wish, nor such as will enable me to discribe it in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Peter Coteau...obtained the young plants at the great Osage vilage from an Indian of that nation.... The general contour of this tree, is very much that of the black haw, common to most parts of the U. States....So much do the savages esteem the wood of this tree for the purpose of making their bows, that they travel many hundred miles in quest of it. The particulars with respect to the fruit, is taken principally from the Indian discription; my informant never having seen but one specimen of it, which was not fully ripe, and much shrivled and mutilated before he saw it. The Indians give an extravigant account of the exquisite odour of this fruit when it has obtained maturity, which takes place the latter end of summer, or the begining of Autumn. They state, that at this season they can always tell by the scent of the fruit when they arrive in the neighbourhood of the tree, and usually take advantage of this season to obtain the wood....An opinion prevails among the Osages, that the fruit is poisonous, tho' they acknowledge that they have never tasted it. They say that many anamals feed on it, and among others, a large species of Hare which abounds in that country. This fruit is the size of the largest orange, of a globular form, and a fine orange colour....

    I have the honour to be with sincere esteem Your Obt. Servt.

    Meriwether Lewis

    Capt. 1st U.S. Infty.


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    I have taken cross country auto trips and found it pleasant but void of trees.Returning to NJ and its forest was uplifting.Recently reading of the Chestnut demise and other species I lost faith in the East's future.An article restored comfort.It said that before the Europeans the land was 100% forested.By 1800 it was 20% forested,and now 60% covered.I can understand the shortage of heat at Valley Forge,and Jockey Hollow.I've also read the Meadowland of Jersey had giant Oaks cut down for the British in NY.Will the future be trees for lumber,or sweet Chestnuts,deep shade or happy animals,including man?

    Posted by John Orlando on July 4,2011 | 05:21 PM

    There is an Endophyte called B Sublilis with a history antagonistic to CHESTNUT Blight.An Endophyte bacteria or fungus compatibly lives within living cells performing helpful, not harmful, services.I cannot determine if the lack of progress is due to web junk,lack of grants,Government safety regulations or difficulty encountered in research.After all the trees are gone and our cities resemble Detroit,our agriculture too pricey,the dollar worthless,everybody crowding the dole system,What do we do with the thing that use to be under the hat?

    Posted by john orlando on July 2,2011 | 05:33 PM

    In articles on Chestnut trees and fire I see opposing views.One states that American Indians using fire for agriculture expanded The Appalachian Chestnut domain from post glacial times.The other sees fires as sources of blight opportunity.It also suggest that continued winnowing of Chestnut wood is counter productive.It may be that fires then and now may have different results,but harvesting Chestnut wood now is weird.

    Posted by John Orlando on June 29,2011 | 05:45 PM

    I recently bemoaned the fact that nothing is written about mud packs.It seemed like an academic freeze on the subject.Subsequently I found a report by Timothy McKechnie of the Connecticut Chestnut Society.He expands on the subject but, does say ,for obvious reasons ,their are no grants in this area.He also says their are millions of micro-organisms in a handfull of earth.Knowing that so much unexplored treasury gets little grants should disturb everyone.Since the President wants to create jobs,why not start with the earth?

    Posted by John Orlando on June 27,2011 | 04:10 PM

    I just saw an article about Cryptonectria in a mud bath.The observer saw things not observed in 80 years.I really did not see such an article nor any observing the fact that their appears to be something antagonistic in mud.Nothing further!No asking why!I guess I don't know how to surf the web.Surely someone goofed by making this observation,and all the other brains went in more lucrative directions.Some youngster with a beat up microscope may someday send a report on this simple test.Then all those returning the chestnut in a few generations will turn over,and I'll be laughing.Did they really try ,or did they just follow the leader.

    Posted by john orlando on June 23,2011 | 09:34 PM

    I may not be alive to say I told you so but here's a final sum up.For about 8 dollars I can buy a baby American Chestnut and an Osage Orange tree.By grafting them together I could have an answer to my questions.If inosculation (fusing the two) occurs what will be the result?Will I have a blight resistant American Chestnut?

    Posted by John Orlando on May 15,2011 | 03:23 PM

    I hope my wandering has led no one astray.I learned a bit by surfing the internet,and corresponding with those whose who have a passion for the subject.I am now a bit more informed and so am grounded.If you can't add to the subject,be invisible.

    Posted by john orlando on May 5,2011 | 04:20 PM

    Why do we try to restore the AC with hybrids that suffer the same weak barks. Wouldn't it be better to save the nut and perhaps lose the lumber.Why not try to hybridize with other beeches,even if the nut is different so long as it is good food.I suggest cork oak with it's own commercial value,or White Swamp Oak with it's virility.Or perhaps there are family members with just superior bark.I say this because I know there are hybrids of Walnut,Pecans, Chinquapin.

    Posted by john orlando on May 1,2011 | 02:47 PM

    Can Juglone gene insertion along with wood bark flexability work.Will cryptonectria in culture be damaged by Juglone,Lupeol,Betatin,Betatin,Acetate,Plumbagin.Is there any other natural wood preservatives candidates for gene insertion?

    Posted by john orlando on April 30,2011 | 11:19 AM

    Read "Keystone and Cops" by Peter Bane.It suggests the shallow rooted Chestnut trees growing,on marginal mountain terrain,benefited by Passenger Pigeons droppings, rich in zinc.Another tragedy of the late 1800's.Also the deep rooted Osage Orange brought up zinc to upper levels.why try to bring back trees for which there are not sufficient nutrient in their past home?

    Posted by john orlando on April 2,2011 | 05:26 PM

    I see where Hawthorne trees used as hedges in Europe more than the US is food for Lepidotera (Moths,Butterflies).What better way to transmit a virus to Cryptonectria if it's fruit carries Hypovirulence.I am looking for companion trees that support American Chestnut health!Hypovirulence single transferance seems not to preserve.

    Posted by john orlando on March 29,2011 | 12:21 AM

    One simple test for an Osage Orange, American chestnut affinity.Dose the faint orange odor,have any effect on Cryphonectria.I am brought back by the Monmouth survivors.I have seen large OO there.The surviving Connecticut old stumps in an area that used the hedges.I have suggested Soothy Mould to block light from mud packs.Later saw black Chaga helped cure for a Canadian arborist.Been told by an expert that the absence of light in mud cure did not work.Is anyone there?

    Posted by john orlando on March 28,2011 | 10:17 PM

    Thanks for the ego trip!Unfortunately I must admit simplistic solutions to natures profound mysteries is inexcusable.Go sit in the corner!But still!If only that mud pack chemical yields to a bright researcher worthy of my credit.

    Posted by john orlando on February 2,2011 | 06:28 PM

    What would the introduction of sooty mold, which inhibits photosynthesis do to Chestnut cankers?Would that lack of light shut the canker down?Are these two in need of each other?

    Posted by john orlando on January 21,2011 | 02:47 PM

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