Hedge Apples

Description

The fruit is not poisonous to humans or livestock but not a typical diet. The seeds are edible and squirrels have been known to eat them. Farmers tend to try to have their milk cows not eat the fruit as it turns the milk sour. Humans tend to not eat the fruit because it is dense and dry.

The wood of the tree is naturally rot resistant and used in making bows and fence posts. It has a natural yellow-orange color which can also be extracted for a dye.

The Hedge Apple is also known as an Osage Orange. The technical name is Maclura pomifera. It is found all over the United States but mainly as a hedge. It is known to be relatively free from insect predators and fungal diseases.

What are they for? We use them to repel insects. I put one on each side of the entrance of the garage and hang one by the front and back door. They last for several months but eventually turn black and sticky. In full disclosure, in 2004, the EPA forced a website to take down any reference to insect prevention and called it “Fake Advertising”. We’d like you to judge for yourself.