Gleaning Facebook: Big Ol' Osage Orange

Our church has recently purchased the neighboring campus of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, including this beautiful monster tree. I think it is a very large Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera). I asked Sheila to pose with it to give some perspective. It is a big ol’ tree, and quite a handsome one. I wonder if it might be in the running for state champion. 

Richard T. Ware

 Didn't you tell me about this tree one time? Have you ever measured it?

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Andy Woodworth

I have noticed this tree for a while, and only recently gave it a close enough look to attempt identification - I thought it was an Osage Orange, but told myself it was too big! It is a whopper!

Lynne Crothers Williams

There might be some oaks in Savannah that would also be in contention.

Terrell Shaw

I found a listing for an Osage Orange in Atlanta that measures 15 ft in circumference at breast height. Somebody go measure this one.

Lynne Crothers Williams

Majestic Oak in Savannah

Dimensions (as of 7/2009):

27’ 8” Girth (circumference) measured at 4′ from the ground

165’ 7” Longest distance of branches from tip to tip

300-500 Approximate age in years. 

Larry Madden

There have been quite a number of visits over the years by "town dogs" that have nurtured this tree no doubt.

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette

Both subjects in this picture are beautiful! 

Joan Shaw Turrentine

I took a picture of that monstrous trunk a few weeks ago, but I didn't include anything for scale; so the tree was unimpressive in my picture.

Michael J. Burton

Lot bigger than mine in Booger holloe

MaryAnn Blankenship Turner

Any word on this tree's circumference yet?

Terrell Shaw

Maybe I'll walk over and measure it tomorrow. 

Weyland Billingsley

You could make a lot of bows from that.

Terrell Shaw

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/trees/?c=59508&a=424017

Joan Shaw Turrentine

That's a mighty good-looking perspective-marker you used for the pic - she's a good complement for the tree.

Sharlette Denise Holcomb

Beautiful!

Terrell Shaw

Here are the co-champion Osage Orange trees of Georgia. Ours is no slouch.

http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/.../champion.../list/Search.cfm

Michael J. Burton

Dense bright yellow wood favored for making bows

 Richard T. Ware

Terrell Shaw

, yes we measured it a few years ago and at the time it wasn't big enough to beat out the state champion. I may be able to look the measurement up, I'll let you know. It is a "whopper" though!