treerooted
Almost Self-Reliant
I'm very excited to have some of these, now I just need to pick a spot to grow them.
Anyone else know what these are
Do you have some?
Anyone else know what these are
Name This Tree Fruit!
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frustratedearthmother
Sustainability Master
I think they're Osage Oranges - but we used to call 'em "horse apples" or "hedge apples."
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treerooted
Almost Self-Reliant
I'm excited because they don't grow up here. I'm on the limit of their growing range, but hopefully I can get some started anyway.
NH Homesteader
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Huh. Nope think I'm too far north for those! What do you do with them?
TexasLisa
Super Self-Sufficient
Osage orange, horse apples, hedge apples, bois d'arc, and bodark are some of its names.
The wood is absolutely beautiful to make things out of it. My husband made me a cane with the wood.
When I lived in Indiana, we had a dozen of these trees in our front yard. I loved the trees because of their unique shapes. They were tall, twisted, and great shade trees.
Beware of the thorns. They are positively wicked. If you stepped on one, it HURT. I know...did it several times a year.
Every year, I would put the fruit into a BIG pile in the woods. Squirrels and deer will eat the fruit. I don't know of any 'good' use for the fruit.
There are those who swear that if you put the fruit in your basement, it will keep spiders away.
The wood is absolutely beautiful to make things out of it. My husband made me a cane with the wood.
When I lived in Indiana, we had a dozen of these trees in our front yard. I loved the trees because of their unique shapes. They were tall, twisted, and great shade trees.
Beware of the thorns. They are positively wicked. If you stepped on one, it HURT. I know...did it several times a year.
Every year, I would put the fruit into a BIG pile in the woods. Squirrels and deer will eat the fruit. I don't know of any 'good' use for the fruit.
There are those who swear that if you put the fruit in your basement, it will keep spiders away.
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treerooted
Almost Self-Reliant
They're zone 5-9. I'm 5a bordering 4b, so I'm hoping I can get them to grow!
One of the traditional homesteading usage is as fencing. But the wood is very hard and can be used for lots of things.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/osage-orange-tree-zmaz85zsie
NH Homesteader
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Huh, learn something new every day! My husband had no idea what it was either. I'm 4b/5a too, supposedly. Pretty sure more 4 in reality.
No thanks on the thorns, lol sounds awful!
No thanks on the thorns, lol sounds awful!
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treerooted
Almost Self-Reliant
Oh that sucks!
We haven't disused yet where we want to grow them, probably along some fencing or as part of our wind breaks.
We haven't disused yet where we want to grow them, probably along some fencing or as part of our wind breaks.
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Evidently, not along your driveway! Lol
