I don't know about Tulsa, but there surely must be a place that sells trees there that you could contact by phone to see if it is available.

I did some research and this cultivar was introduced by the owners of Sunshine Nursery in Clinton, Oklahoma, in 1993.

You can order it from Arbor Village for $15.00 in a gal. container. Arbor Village has a 100% success rating on Garden Watchdog.

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Maclura 'White Shield'

I'd give Juniper Hills a try too. They used to carry quite an unusual selection of trees in the golden days.

Don't mean to be totally negative on this tree. Well, yes, I do :-). If the "only" difference is no thorns, I can think of about 300 different trees to plant in my yard.

I hate this tree with a passion. The fruit is a major eyesore and a pain in the butt to deal with. Never walk under that tree on a windy day if you value your life.

The wood is like cutting steel and dulls a chain in no time. The sap is like glue and sticks to everything. Make sure you wear throw away clothes when pruning.

Older trees have buttress roots that run above ground making it hard to mow around and suckers come up 20-30 feet away from the parent tree for years after you cut the nasty offender down.

randy

I agree with Randy. I have a row of these trees in my pasture. It's not a tree I'd want in the yard for sure.

Well, I didn't want to be rude when this post came up, but I too hate this tree with a passion. I have one in my yard, and it is horrible. It puts off at least 500 horse apples each year, and I have to pick up every single one to keep my yard looking nice. Its wood is unbelievably hard, exactly like Randy says. You can wear out a chain saw in no time cutting limbs on this tree (ask me how I know :( I have several bois d arc trees in my pastures, and they're not so bad. The horses do eat the apples and they provide shade, but there is no way I would ever plant one of those nasty trees in my yard. Mine came with the yard when I bought this place, and I hate it. I've also had a couple of trees pop up from seeds, and again like Randy says, when you cut them down, they sucker like crazy and are impossible to get rid of. I'd think twice before I'd plant one if I were you.

I have to add some positive notes. The cultivar that Hyperion is talking about purchasing is thornless and fruitless. The Osage Indians used to make their bows from it, and it is also widely used to make furniture.

Since it is in the mulberry family as well, you might be lucky enough to see some beautiful sphinx moths utilize it as a host plant.

Susan

Nice and cold so I've been cutting firewood. Bois d' ark has a very high BTU so I burn it in the wood stove out in the greenhouse.

This is one of the reasons I hate having it in the yard. This 4 inch diameter branch was cut off yesterday to season for next year. I was surprised to find there is only a very small strip of live wood, the bright white, supporting green limbs making me think this limb was still alive.

That's why so many older trees have half broken off growing limbs on them. A good strong wind or fruit will cause them to snap.

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Could they possibly be as bad as Bradford pears, though? At least, they are native trees, whereas BPs are not. I would love to have the thornless, fruitless variety in my garden, but I'm already planting a wild cherry, ptelea trifoliata, a small, dwarf willow, and a pawpaw. These trees are great sphinx moth and butterfly host plants. You know me, Randy! Osage Orange also has it's very own sphinx - the, you got it - Osage Orange Sphinx.

Susan

Hi Susan

I just googled that moth and recognize it. I've seen a few of them here.

I don't mind a few of the trees bordering the property or on the extreme edge, but don't want them close to the house posing a threat to family and pets.

If you plant the fruitless you'll have to let me know how it's doing down the road some.

randy

I have a couple of these White Shield bois d'arcs and they are great. One had over 6 feet of height growth this year despite being frozen back at Easter.

They are hard and tough but that is a plus. They will resist breaking and loss of limbs in ice and wind storms. If you get a first class solid bole of about 25 or 30 feet, with no limbs, it will develop into an incredibly tough and durable tree, rather majestic to behold.

Not that you are likely to try to grow timber in your yard, but straight clear logs are very valuable. The wood is hard, but can you imagine how long a bois d'arc deck would last?

I had a bit of insect problem this year, basically a cosmetic issue. The literature indicates that disease and insect problems are minor.

If you want a fast growing, very tough tree with gorgeous leaves, this is your choice.

Oscar