Gorgeous trees.

Hi Beng, May I ask if you have any more info on the ’where’ on this one? I would love to go see in person if it’s not too far 😁

I don't indiana. Facebook posts on trees usually don't give exact locations -- prb'ly for good reasons. All it said was near Indianapolis (obviously a cemetery). If Indiana has a state "Big Tree" website (MD, PA and VA have one at least), this tree might be registered in it.

DNR does keep a list, but Maclura isn’t on it. I’ll keep looking - would love to see it since it’s in a public space. Thank you!

Saw a related post on the right that had this interesting answer by "Dax".

gardener365

10 years ago

I have some new information, guess I thought the tree I posted is a State Champ when in fact there is no Osage Orange IL champion... my friend writes:

There is no Illinois state champ Osage-orange because the silly foresters don't consider it a native species! I've seen a couple that were more than 15', and one just over 20', in circumference. Our Alpha tree is the county champion, about 14', with a very broad crown, and (guessing) about 60' tall.

Dax

Indiana- This is behind a firewall, but if you contact Jesse Gilmore from the Reporter he might help you locate it,

https://www.indydailyreporter.com/news/local-osage-orange-joins-ranks-champion-trees

tj

Thank you all for the help. And TJ thats above and beyond! However, indydailyreporter is from Independence, KS. 😟

Crown Hill Cemetery appears to be the likely location

I thought so too. I did find a pdf listing trees on their tour but it didn’t list this one. Still I think it’s worth a visit!

I have been to this cemetery once, and marveled at the mature collection there. Perusing their website, I learned that the woman in charge of horticulture and maintaining their arboreal treasure is a Landscape Architect and an arborist; no mean feat! I'd reach out to HER before any visit, and look for a grand tour. They also have a tree inventory database (TreeKeeper) which locates over 11,000 of their trees, but I was unable to crack how to search for a specific tree. You might have better luck.

Thanks VV! I will check it out.

Awesome tree. For some reason, when I see osage orange in pics, I get the feeling they have the appearance of belonging in a desert environment

L Clark, they were originally found in a small OK/TX area, so certainly adapted to heat and periodic droughts (dust-bowl era).