| A medium sized thorny tree that makes an impenetrable hedge. Produces a large grapefruit sized inedible fruit claimed to repel insects such as spiders and cockroaches. Usually untouched by insect attacks and fungal diseases. Beautiful yellow fall color on a tree that grows to about 30 ft. Dense flexible hardwood used in bow making and the French named this plant 'Bois d'arc' (Bow-wood) after observing bow making by the Native Americans. Wood has one of the highest BTU content and makes an excellent firewood. Sharp, nearly unbreakable thorns are why hedge apple trees were planted as living fences to keep in cattle before the time of barbed wire. Can also be used as a windbreak hedge and was widely planted in President Roosevelt's 'Great Plains Shelterbelt' weather modification project in the 1930's. Female osage orange trees produce the odd fruit and will still produce a seedless crop even if there is no male tree nearby. It has been claimed that the natural distribution of Hedge Apple seeds were from being eaten by long extinct mammals. Not related to apple trees, this widely adapted tree is actually part of the mulberry family. Osage Orange is native to southern U.S., originally restricted to Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Zone 5-9. |
