Name This Tree Fruit!

[treerooted]

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?

 

[Denim Deb]

They're actually a member of the mulberry family.

I saw my first one when I was in college. I don't remember now if it was my ecology class or my dendrology class. But, the fruits fascinate me. They make me think of a green brain. I'll often call it a green brain tree.

One day, I brought home one of the fruits and had it in the house. It started to rot, and I didn't have time to do anything w/it, so I chucked it out the front door. My DD stepped on it, and comes in the house and tells me, Mom, I just stepped on your brain!

 

[TexasLisa]

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.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Evidently, not along your driveway! Lol

 

[treerooted]

Also considering this is it's natural range:

It's no wonder if most people aren't familiar with it.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I think they're Osage Oranges - but we used to call 'em "horse apples" or "hedge apples."

 

[treerooted]

@frustratedearthmother you're the winner!

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.

 

[treerooted]

Huh. Nope think I'm too far north for those! What do you do with them?

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

 

[TexasLisa]

The thorns will also flatten your tires.

 

[Chic Rustler]

I'd cut then down and then decide I wanted to make my own bow or something. Never know, I might need them


If you want more horse apples let me know. I got a truck load