Osage-orange, Maclurapomifera (Raf.) C.K. Schneid., is also known as
hedge-apple or horse apple (not to be confused with road apple) because of the
use as hedges due to thorns and large fruits that look like rough and tough
grapefruits.The use as hedges was also
an effective fence for livestock prior to the introduction of barbed wire.The fruit is actually a multiple fruit like a
mulberry considering that it is in the same family, which can usually be
narrowed down by pinching off a leaf and observing if milky sap oozes as a key where about the only native exception for woody plants around here are some bully buckthorns that are now put in the genus SideroxylonL. rather than Bumelia. Only female Osage-orange trees bear fruit.The original range was in the parts of Texas and Oklahoma
that included the Osage nation, where it was highly prized for use as bowwood,
resulting in the French name, bois d’arc.There are rumors that putting the fruits around your house will keep
away various vermin and other unwanted creatures, which may actually be most
effective against unwanted houseguest unless they are among those making the
dubious claim that jelly can be made from the fruits.Osage-oranges are widely planted and the
places I have seen the most now growing wild is the Black Belt region and more
locally in the Paint Rock Valley.The
state champion is in the former region, specifically GreeneCounty,
and it is 88 feet tall, an impressive 284 inches around, and has a limb spread
of 67 feet.I’ve heard that a previous
state champion in FortPayne is currently being threatened by development.
