While traveling through "Staten Island's" Historic Richmondtown, I was compelled to stop my car.
Before me were dozens of green 6 inch fruits dropping from a 30-40ft. tree.
This was amazing, and what is more amazing is the tree's history!
This wonderous tree is an Osage Orange or Hedge Apple tree. The Osage Orange was the first tree Lewis and Clark sent back east from
St. Louis during their expedition. Lewis and Clark's expedition yielded the Osage Orange tree ( named after the Osage Indian tribe.)
Believed to have grown from slips, Lewis sent to President Jefferson.
The Indians utilized the Osage tree's oak strong hickory tough wood for their hunting bows.
The non-edible fruit contains a chemical that repels many insects. The green-yellow wrinkled ball can be up to 6 inches in diameter.
The fruit smells like the rind of an orange.
I was thrilled to find in "Staten Island's" Historic Richmondtown this splendid tree !
While floral designing on 5th Ave. in NYC. this time of the year ( when the female osage bears her fruit) I would have the splendor of
designing with this unusual unique fruit!
Embracing mother nature on Staten Island is a naturalist's field day! Explore the Island and enjoy nature's splendor .
Staten Island is a fabulous place to live!
www.richmondtownstatenisland.com www.osageorange.com
Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource
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