Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
(Maclura tricuspidata)
Also called ‘Mandarin melon berry’, che is a lesser know relative of mulberry and fig. It produces round, red fruits in early fall with pleasant sweet flavor and notes of watermelon. This is a self-fertile selection which produces seedless fruit and does not require a male tree for pollination. Young trees have small thorns but as branches mature trees become more thornless. Like mulberries and figs, che is rarely troubled by any pests or diseases, with shiny green leaves that look great as a landscape tree. Grafted on native osage orange rootstock that we have grown from seed for hardiness, vigor and improved tree form.
Flavor profile: Sweet, juicy, watermelon
Hardiness zone: 5b-9
Light: Full sun
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with pH 6-6.5
Mature height: 12-20’ depending on pruning
Spacing: 14-18’
Pollination: Self-fertile
Planting tips: Be sure to choose a site with full sun. Although Che is hardy, in northern areas with shorter seasons, having a warm microclimate like a south facing wall can help fully ripen more fruit in the fall.
Growing tips: Even when grafted on Osage rootstock, che can develop into more of a tangled bush form than an upright tree if left unpruned, so it’s important to prune for a strong structure early on. Remove low and crossing branches during pruning in late winter. Pay close attention to watering during ripening as the one difficulty with growing che is fruit drop when the tree is not getting what it needs.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
(Maclura tricuspidata)
Also called ‘Mandarin melon berry’, che is a lesser know relative of mulberry and fig. It produces round, red fruits in early fall with pleasant sweet flavor and notes of watermelon. This is a self-fertile selection which produces seedless fruit and does not require a male tree for pollination. Young trees have small thorns but as branches mature trees become more thornless. Like mulberries and figs, che is rarely troubled by any pests or diseases, with shiny green leaves that look great as a landscape tree. Grafted on native osage orange rootstock that we have grown from seed for hardiness, vigor and improved tree form.
Flavor profile: Sweet, juicy, watermelon
Hardiness zone: 5b-9
Light: Full sun
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with pH 6-6.5
Mature height: 12-20’ depending on pruning
Spacing: 14-18’
Pollination: Self-fertile
Planting tips: Be sure to choose a site with full sun. Although Che is hardy, in northern areas with shorter seasons, having a warm microclimate like a south facing wall can help fully ripen more fruit in the fall.
Growing tips: Even when grafted on Osage rootstock, che can develop into more of a tangled bush form than an upright tree if left unpruned, so it’s important to prune for a strong structure early on. Remove low and crossing branches during pruning in late winter. Pay close attention to watering during ripening as the one difficulty with growing che is fruit drop when the tree is not getting what it needs.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders are for dormant, bare root plants and will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
