Native to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, which I do not consider close enough to "eastern North America" to warrant the relevant tag. Unfortunately, this tree is on the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council Plant List and some other invasive lists (though none official or state-specific), so I must give it the "weedy" tag. Use with extreme caution and consider planting only male (= fruitless) cultivars.
Transplanting ease is debated (Dirr/Warren claim often taprooted), but insanely resilient once established. Takes pruning well. Clay tolerance is debated (Missouri BG vs. USDA). Prefers deep soil.
Apparently no terminal buds, which I assume means sympodial branching. Male flowers may smell bad if left on the ground to rot.
The large fruits are fragrant, including notes of grapefruit, and can perfume indoor spaces for up to a month.
'Wichita', 'White Shield', and 'Park' are thornless (or nearly so) and fruitless; 'White Shield' has the fewest thorns and is more upright, while 'Wichita' branches more fully and looks better. 'Double O' is another male, this one having thorns only on the younger stems.
Sources: UFL, Sunset, Missouri BG, UConn, Dirr, USDA, Druse, Dirr/Warren.
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