Late summer and fall bring the annual return of hedge-apples, the grapefruit-sized spheres that can litter forest pathways and even golf courses, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
"Some people insist hedge-apples are good for repelling insects, even though those properties have long been disputed," said Martha Smith. "Many claim placing hedge-apples in a basement, cellar, or around the foundation of a home will repel boxelder bugs, cockroaches, crickets, spiders and other pests.
"To date, there is no research data that confirm this. But the milky sap found in the stems and fruits of the Osage orange tree, which produces hedge-apples, may cause irritation to the skin."
Hedge-apples can be messy as well as harmful when they are dropping from the trees.
"Don't park a vehicle under an Osage orange tree in September," Smith cautioned. "Hedge-apples, which can be three to six inches in diameter, have been known to dent hoods and even smash windows."
The Osage orange is native to the southwest United States. The region was also home to the Osage Indians, hence the common name.
Osage orange is a tough tree that is able to tolerate almost any adverse growing condition. It is easy to transplant and will reach 12 to 15 feet in height in five years. Typically, it has a short trunk with low-growing, thorny branches that, when grown close together, form an impenetrable thicket, making a natural livestock barrier.
"The wood of the tree is naturally rot-resistant," said Smith. "This is due to a naturally occurring substance that is toxic to fungi."
When fresh-cut, the wood is golden yellow or bright orange but turns brown with exposure. The wood is extremely hard, tough, and durable. A bright yellow dye can be extracted from it.
"Osage orange trees were often grown in place and simply cut down to size and used as fence posts," she said. "Because of these qualities, Osage orange is now found throughout the Midwest--along old farm ground that now adjoins backyards, golf courses, and other outdoor recreational areas."
Not all Osage orange trees produce hedge-apples because they are dioecious. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. The female trees produce the large yellow-green hedge-apples.
"Hedge-apples are not an important source of food for wildlife," Smith said. "And for humans, the hedge-apples often end up being used to toss around for sport."
But the trees do have another use--the wood has been used for archery bows and furniture. In fact, another common name for the Osage orange is bodark, or bois d'arc--French for wood of the bow.
