Osage-Orange

White Shield is a fruitless, thornless male selection of Osage orange, chosen from a tree found near White Shield Creek in western Oklahoma. The [City of Edmond profile](https://www.edmondok.gov/1441/Tree-Species-Highlight) describes its upright branching, glossy leaves, heat and drought tolerance, and mature size of about 20–40 feet tall with a similar spread. The [USDA NRCS fact sheet](https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_mapo.pdf) also identifies White Shield as a fruitless, thornless male clone. ## Landscape Use This deciduous tree makes a substantial specimen or shade tree where there is room for a broad crown. Its green leaves turn yellow in fall; mature size is about 20–40 feet in both height and spread, according to Edmond’s profile. The species is native to the south-central United States and its tough wood historically served for fencing, but the selected male avoids the large fruit produced by female trees. The [Morton Arboretum species profile](https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/osage-orange/) notes that ordinary Osage orange can sucker and bear large fruit; those species-wide traits should not be confused with this selected fruitless tree. ## Growing Conditions Plant in full sun. Edmond reports that established trees tolerate heat, drought, wind, ice, and a range of soil types; allow space for the tree to reach its mature spread rather than placing it beside walks or small planting beds. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry weather. Remove dead, damaged, or poorly placed branches as needed, and monitor young shoots for any unwanted suckers.