Widely planted to make cattle fences before the barbed wire boom of the late 1800s, the branches are armed with stout, straight spines and the trees were tightly spaced and high, to keep horses and deer from jumping over, bulls from pushing through, and hogs from wiggling in. The perfect living hedge tree, capable of out-lasting any installed fence and the natural solution for protecting your yard or acreage from garden eating predators. ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.From fencing to bows and floral arrangements. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.Īfter 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. The milky juice present in the stems and fruit can cause irritation to the skin.Īs horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. If you decide to pick hedge apples to check out their ability to control pests, or to use the fruit as a fall decoration, Frazee cautions that it is important to wear gloves. However, the scientists reported that natural concentrations of these compounds in the hedge apples were too low to be an effective repellent. According to Frazee, a few years ago, toxicologists from Iowa State University extracted compounds from hedge apples that were found to repel insects when concentrated. Unfortunately, there is an absence of scientific research and consequently, no valid evidence to confirm the claims effectiveness. The use of hedge apples as a pest solution is often communicated as a folk tale complete with testimonials about apparent success. Many people purchase hedge apples believing that hedge apples can repel or control insects, spiders and even mice in their homes, basements and garages. Although kids take enjoyment in throwing them, they are usually considered a nuisance in the home landscape. However, Frazee reports it is the fruit of the Osage-orange that most individuals find intriguing. However, cautions that burning hedge does result in considerable sparking, so a protective screen or shield needs to be placed between the fireplace and the room. According to University of Nebraska researchers, dried hedge is highest in BTU's of dried wood from native trees when used as firewood. Thus, the wood is typically used for fence posts, treenails, furniture and archery bows. The wood is extremely hard, heavy, durable and shrinks or swells little compared to the wood of other trees. Consequently, it was planted widely as a living fence because, when its thorny branches were pruned into a hedge, it provided an impenetrable barrier to livestock. According to Frazee, it is a tough and durable tree transplants easily tolerates poor soils, extreme heat, and strong winds and has no serious insect or disease problems. The Osage-orange is a member of the Mulberry Family and is commonly called a hedge tree.Īs early-American settlers began moving west during the nineteenth century, many Midwest farmers found the Osage-orange tree to have many admirable qualities. This article by retired extension educator Bob Frazee, originally published in 2009, contains answers to these questions and more.Īccording to Bob Frazee, retired University of Illinois Natural Resources Educator, hedge apples are produced by the Osage-orange tree ( Maclura pomifera), which is commonly grown throughout Illinois. I've also had some questions about using the hedge apples and the tree's wood for various purposes. Hedge apples seem to be if great abundance this fall. Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
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