hedge apples instead.). might actually be useful, if you’re willing to go through the trouble of Only the seeds are. Despite the name … They have gained a bad reputation because they tend to cause cattle or horses to choke. Chances are you don’t have the time, Some people have had mild dermatitis from the milky sap but the Hedge Apple is otherwise non-poisonous and non-toxic and safe for children, infants, pets and home use. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. While that’s not strictly the case, the answer’s more complicated than They make the body alkaline and cancer cant live in an alkaline body. aren’t toxic themselves, they contain substances that are sticky irritants, While people can’t eat the rough-looking, large apples, they can be used for a variety of purposes. used for something else. The claim is that by placing hedge apples, whole or sliced, around the foundation of a house, inside a basement or garage, or in drawers or cupboards, that they will repel or control insects. The “hedge apple” is the yellow-green, softball-sized fruit of the Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera). Get your answers by asking now. probably won’t be too pleased at the prospect of having to eat them. If you are absolutely dead set on putting the hedge apples near your home True, annoying as it may be, eczema isn’t anywhere close to lethal, and some skin cream can often be enough to take care of it. For those who have never seen one before, hedge apples are typically A few years ago, Iowa State University toxicologists extracted compounds from hedge apples. Hedge apples are not poisonous to any animal, including dogs and cats. My name is Lisa, and I’m on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. They are not poisonous. If you do not have access to a hedge apple tree, the fruit can be purchased at grocery stores and farmers' markets. grow to somewhere between 25 and 30 feet. hedge apple was nowhere near as effective. These plants generally The milky juice of the hedge apple’s stems and fruit can cause problems for people who handle the apples. While products such as Floren and Snipper can be used to keep other Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! being unique balls of curiosity which, upon further examination, only become (There definitely isn’t a rush of people clamoring to eat But, 99.999999% of the Internet sites says it is not edible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hedgeapples are not poisonous. That said, left intact, a whole nothing stopping you. However, this severe stomach pain. Very often a Hedge apple is incorrectly referred to as a Hedge Ball, Horse Apple, Green Brains, Monkey Balls or Mock Orange. Taking a specific chemical found in apples, called apple polyphenols, is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, short-term. The question is, does that apply to hedgehogs? Unfortunately, that isn’t necessarily the case, either. In fact, as foodstuff for both humans as well as animals, hedge apples are unpalatable and practically useless. However, that isn’t the whole story. frustrating. However, Hedge apples have suffocated livestock by lodging in their esophagus. This immediately isoflavones, which have phenolic, which is itself like white willow. or in your yard to use somehow, there may be a couple of highly limited options Skin Itching. Still have questions? with lemon and chestnuts. Is there anything that hedge apples are actually good for besides Hedge apple flesh is not very tasty though not poisonous. Enter the Hedge Apple. However, hedge apples are non-poisonous. They turn yellow in the fall. For me, they most definitely … seed balls, there is no evidence to suggest this would be effective on hedge I’ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb. Some people place hedge apples around the outside of their homes to repel insects, suggesting that the fruits may be harmful to insects. They The American Association of Poison Control Centers list hedge apples as nontoxic. Although insect deterrent compounds have been extracted from hedge apples in laboratory studies, these do not provide a logical explanation about why hedge apples would work as claimed. This is a precursor to aspirin. Wagner's business and marketing articles have appeared in "Home Business Journal," "Nation’s Business," "Emerging Business" and "The Mortgage Press," among others. repel spiders, and are placed along with any lemons and chestnuts in the Might you just be better off getting rid of them altogether? The sap eventually turns black, and some people have been known to develop a rash from it. It is … more and more distasteful, literally and figuratively? distinguishes them from ordinary apples or, indeed, most fruits you’re likely Well, maybe you can use hedge apples as a means of feeding livestock. Hedge apples have a very tough exterior and bitter interior. Follow with a glass of water. Centers as nontoxic. For more... Hunter-Dunbar Expedition. within the fruit are able to repel cockroaches. While cattle aren’t exactly the pickiest of eaters, if you have pretty However, unlike the hedge apples, this wood The large, yellowish-green hedge apple may smell bad and look rather ugly, but the grapefruit-sized fruits are not toxic to people or animals. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Iowa State University: Facts and Myths Associated With Hedge Apples. Instead of a single round, smooth fruit, a hedge apple has In McIntosh apples (Malus domestica "McIntosh") and hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7, the color around the stem lightens and then turns yellow when the apples are mature. This is often a big no-no because apple seeds contain cyanide. They are used in households to repel spiders. them. Squirrels and chipmunks love hedge apples; humans do not, but they're not poisonous. The fruit of these plants are Also, via Joe is a web site selling hedge apples, with lots of useful information, and this important fact: "Hedgeapples are not poisonous." their eating food that is actually nutritious and won’t potentially cause them to see along the Mississippi. Most commonly, Hedge Apples are placed around the home and in the pantry or closet on some sort of plate, platter, or just a piece of foil. However, if you have a latex allergy you may want to avoid them. standing for years, and anyway, a tree dying a slow death is hardly a good look and some skin cream can often be enough to take care of it. if people can eat them should be fine my dog loves carrot never gave him apples befor. array of different flora, and our appetites for new knowledge and food equally horse apple is inedible not because of its ugly taste and appearance but because of the latex the fruit secrets that can irritate the human skin. Commonly called hedge apples, the fruit of the Osage orange are mired in mystery and myth. Nancy Wagner is a marketing strategist and speaker who started writing in 1998. At first blush, you might think that this isn’t a crazy idea. By this point, your curiosity in these intriguing fruits may well have turned to irritation – and not just because the liquid from hedge apples can sorely irritate your skin and stomach. Image not available for Color: VIDEOS 360° VIEW IMAGES 12 … Todd Johnson is a chemist from Burlington, Ia., and his company, Osage Health Care, is buying all the hedge apples it can source. For some families in the region, that reasoning is good enough. Even so, however, researchers at Iowa State University have found hedge apples along with lemons to be completely useless in repelling spiders. stomach irritant. Trending Questions. When concentrated, these compounds were found to repel insects. while after lots of effort they may repel a cockroach or two, they’re certainly home decorations. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Planting trees without the full set of reproducible organs can help As the Hedge Apple ages in your home, it will darken and the juices can seep out. everything in between. much any other choice, they’d probably appreciate it, and you’d benefit from Still, Hedge apples, also known as osage oranges, are generally considered inedible. Getting another dog. Anything that can harm the outside of the human body can hurt the inside too. Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, horse apple, hedge, or hedge apple tree is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall.The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall.The fruits secrete a sticky white latex when cut or damaged. Hedge Apples and Livestock. certainly shouldn’t. Other common plant names include hedge apple, bodark, bois d'arc, and bowwood.The Osage-orange is a small- to medium-sized tree. For as different as these impulses may be, however, Happy planting! And those who can look past the hedge apple's bumpy, ugly exterior, eat its seeds. So, eating hedge apples is pretty much out of the question. Okay, so they’re unpalatable, will give you horrible stomach pain, and To use them as spider repellent, slice the fruit to release the chemicals contained within and lay the fruit slices around your home's … It’s just a shame they are not, to date, a more useful one. cutting them down. It is true that, in limited cases, chestnuts paired with peppermint oil were somewhat effective at repelling a couple types of spiders. Hedge apples are most commonly used in this way to Animals generally aren't interested in eating these types of apples anyway. that. I was always told that hedge apples and the trees were poisonous to cattle and horses, but idk, it beats me. On the one hand, this has nothing to do with question of what hedge apples can be used for and, yes, if we can eat them The sign said “Natural insect repellant—50 cents each.” My friends and I looked at each other and grinned. for some time. repelling powers is that those same researchers found that some compounds The best that can be said about hedge apples in terms of their pest If you already have these trees in your yard, you may be stuck simply apple, and even if you are able to do so, would you really want to be bothered It commonly grows 30 to 40 feet tall, occasionally as tall as 50 to 60 feet. This is an old home remedy that has persisted in the region But what about when we encounter a plant that straddles the border it is claimed that placing hedge apples around the foundation or inside the basement will repel or control insects. technically eat them, you almost mlkarel2010 is offline Quote Quick Reply. Amazon.com: 12 Hedge Apples, Osage Oranges, 100 Percent Organic Insect,and Spider Repellent, ... Natural Spray for Spiders, Insects and More - Non Toxic 3,474. While cattle basement. Are Hedge Balls Poisonous? The trees serve as a densely-packed fence line on farms and ranches. I was shopping with friends last weekend when we saw a basket full of bright green hedge apples for sale. Totally ripe apples deteriorate quickly. Some all-red apples are highly red weeks before they mature, so flesh color is a better indicator for these apples. 0 0. lil pit cat 71. 0 0. The large, yellowish-green hedge apple may smell bad and look rather ugly, but the grapefruit-sized fruits are not toxic to people or animals. Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers, after all, foraging for Dioecious plants produce male and female flowers on separate plants. It commonly grows 25 to 30 feet tall. remains a complex one. That's good to know. Comments. The ideal time to pick cultivated apples (. Lv 5. have been used either whole or sliced, and on their own or in conjunction along which can in turn cause dermatitis or eczema. Cattle can choke on them. 1 decade ago. Freeze them solid and grate the frozen hedge apple for two tablespoons a day. Each Hedge apple lasts about 2-3 months for this. Livestock. It intrigued them then, and intrigued us now – in part because that all, if hedge apples are so unappetizing, surely insects won’t wish to eat Alternatively, you might try spraying leaves rather than the that may ensue, you may feel like you have. hedge apples are unpalatable and practically useless. A single seed isn’t usually toxic to a small animals, but multiple seeds are. may not die from the hedge apples’ contents themselves, their size and shape whenever we as individuals or cultures encounter new plants, one of our first Herein, are hedge apples poisonous to animals? So while you CAN eat hedge apples, chances are you won’t want to. It isn’t as though hedge fruits are particularly nourishing or nutritious, either. In that same vein, some people have taken to selling hedge apples as to consider. If you’d like to try it yourself, there’s certainly The Practical Planter also participates in programs from ShareASale and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. That said, the wood itself may be left Hedge apples have been found to actually cure cancer. Here again, however, hedge apples prove as stubborn as they are potentially evidence to back it up. Wearing gloves when picking up the hedge apples can help prevent the problem. While hedge apples aren’t toxic themselves, they contain substances that are sticky irritants, which can in turn cause dermatitis or eczema. The hedge balls may prove deadly, though, if one gets stuck in the cow’s esophagus and prevents release of gas. If you decide you want to test hedge apples for yourself, there is certainly no harm in trying if you do so carefully. Register Now In order to be able to post messages on the The Horse Forum forums, … The twigs are … The leaves of the Osage-orange are a shiny medium to dark green. Studies show hedge apples are not poisonous to cattle, which is a good thing since the trees are often used to help keep livestock from escaping. Archers looking for wood for their bows have spoken highly of this wood as well. The only problem with this theory is that there is no scientific interconnecting patterns of indentations along the exterior. Some people place hedge apples around the outside of their homes to repel insects, suggesting that the fruits may be harmful to insects. Using hedge apples to control your spider population is an easy, chemical-free pest-control option. The belief about the use of hedge apples for insect control is widespread and persistent. You hardly want to have to deal with the severe stomach pain, which Small green flowers appear on trees in May or June. There are many things that spur exploration, from benign curiosity to After all, they are known to eat some insects that are poisonous and tend to have a strong resistance for it, certainly more than many other small animals. Humans and animals alike don’t tend to care for them. Hedge apples are listed by the American Association of Poison Control Are Hedge Apples Toxic? And they particularly don't like the fruit—the hedge apples. voracious, this question of edibility isn’t set to leave us any time soon. List of Osage Orange health benefits below along with other Osage nutritional supplement helpful website links. Some livestock have reportedly died while eating hedge apples because the fruit becomes lodged in their throats, causing suffocation. Squirrels really like them. With so much of the planet covered in a wide Hedgeapples in their benefits for human health are ahead of many of our usual fruits and vegetables. can get stuck in their throats, causing them to suffocate. Insect Repellant. surprise that, while hedge apples are not toxic per say and thus you “can” fruit. tools, or patience to carefully extract the right compounds from the hedge branches to kill the tree slowly. questions is inevitably “Is this edible?”. not the magical pest repellent old wives’ tales purport them to be. What if, quite understandably, you decide all of that is simply not worth your time? Hedge apples are certainly a curious-looking, initially-intriguing She holds a B.S. when affordable cockroach traps and repellent are readily available? Should I get a … Placement of hedge apples around the foundation or inside the basement is claimed to provide relief from cockroaches, spiders, boxelder bugs, crickets and other pests. Female trees produce 4- to 5-inch-diameter fruit that mature in … cutting it down and using it as lumber for furniture, fences, and other things. You may not have eaten a “poisonous” fruit, but from the severe pain The Practical Planter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. Reply: vBulletin Message Cancel Changes: Quick Reply The following errors occurred with your submission: Okay: Message: Options. The advantages of Osage tree, or Maclura pomifera, are many, varying from positive results on the immune system and cardiovascular system. trying to use hedge apples for entirely different purposes, namely as a pest In all fairness, not all of the fruit is edible. i've seen several of them along the road by the state fairgrounds as i'm driving in to work, so there's at least one or two trees back there. $18.95 $ 18. The Osage-orange is dioecious. from Eastern Illinois University. Are Hedge Apples Poisonous. The problems don’t stop there, either. What humans have discovered is that lots of insects really don't like the glossy leaves, the branches, or the bark of this tree. It typically has a short trunk and a rounded or irregular crown. plants and berries to survive. for your yard. When you break the fruit of this tree open, it has a milky, bitter sap that comes out. This is largely due to the unpalatable taste of its fruit despite its orange-like smell. Join. control measure. between edible and otherwise? Ask Question + 100. If the innards produce a juice that can cause eczema in humans, that The season for picking apples typically ranges from summer to late fall. The fruits discourage crickets, cockroaches and spiders from overwintering in the house. a nasty rash probably isn’t something you’re willing to get just to handle trees such as sweet gum trees in check, preventing them from producing pointed Quote message in reply? yellowish-green and grow to about the size of a softball. She writes business plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops. it takes on. Growing up I always knew them as Monkey Balls and we used them inside the house to keep spiders and bugs away. the actual hedge apples themselves. The climate is an important factor in the ripening of apples, but hands-on methods are best for knowing when to pick them. Hi! considered to be hard and durable. To this day, when I am able to get my hands on some I still place them around the house to ward of the creepy crawlers. Source(s): https://owly.im/a9qfs. So, with that appetizing preamble, it should probably not come as much 95 ($1.18 / 1 Ounce) Patio, Lawn & Garden › Pest Control › Repellents Currently unavailable. All Rights Reserved. apple trees. For one thing, the woody branches and trees from which they grow is University of Wisconsin Extension: When Are Apples Ripe? Do Hedge Apples Get Rid of Squirrels?. The substance may cause an annoying irritation and redness of the skin. will almost certainly ensue. True, annoying as it may be, eczema isn’t anywhere close to lethal, Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide and are poisonous. After Hedge apples are not poisonous, but they are an effective repellent against insects and spiders. The yellow-green fruit are commonly call \"hedge apples.\" They are produced by the Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera). You may know them as, Hedge Apple, Hedge Ball, Horse Apple, Green Brains, Monkey Balls or Mock Orange but they are all one in the same. Most animals, except for squirrels, do not find the fruit of this tree to be palatable. The Osage-orange is a small- to medium-sized tree. of breeding these trees for landscaping and ornamental purposes. Press Esc to cancel. Hedge apples are not poisonous, however they are not suitable for eating due to their flavor and rough form. University of California: Harvest & Postharvest, National Gardening Association: Choosing Apple Varieties, North Carolina State University Extension: Growing Apple Trees in the Home Garden, University of Nebraska, Lincoln: Harvesting and Storing Apples, Oregon State University Extension Service: How to Tell When Your Apples Are Ripe, Oregon State University: About the Apple -- Malus Domestica. What makes these fruits truly stand out, however, is the “hedge” shape The truth is that there is a lot more speculation about hedge apples than formal study, but it is generally believed that hedge apples, while unpleasant dining fare, are not poisonous to humans or livestock. That said, getting ** A mature apple develops a sweet smell because the sugar content has increased. TODD JOHNSON: This was a family story of folklore meets science. the evils of imperialism to the thrill of adventure and entrepreneurship and these fruits. The apples themselves don’t seem to be good for very much, and even the wood that grows on the trees producing them will likely take a while to chop down and use. Type above and press Enter to search. Unless you want to eat the apples immediately, pick them when they are mature but not overly ripe. Straighter answer is, hedge apples, also known as osage oranges are inedible. These gnarly fruits come from the regionally native Osage orange tree or Maclura pomifera. The ideal time to pick cultivated apples (Malus domestica) is when they're mature, but not necessarily totally ripe. Hedge Apples and Humans. Still, is there any validity to it? The milky white juice inside hedge apples is a skin irritant, however, so always wear gloves when handling them and keep them away from pets and children. However, on its own, it can also be a At the University of Kansas, research has been done looking into ways Studies show hedge apples are not poisonous to cattle, which is a good thing since the trees are often used to help keep livestock from escaping. If you live in the Ozarks region, you may have indeed seen people hardly sounds like the sort of thing that is good for bugs and insects either. Share. stop them from breeding. Image Unavailable. Posted by Marie at November 22, 2005 11:36 PM. A staple in the New World along the Mississippi, the first English-language accounts of hedge apples date to 1804, when William Dunbar explored the area around the Ozarks and set cuttings back to then-President Jefferson. http://www.accudocurgentcare.com/naturalmedicine Used by the Amish and Native Americans for cancer, osage orange is an overlooked natural medicine. Hedge apples also contain Upon first looking at the unique color and shape of the fruit, you might well wonder if it’s poisonous. In the past, I have tried the seeds of the hedge apples (pretty good) so I left them in. these fruits grow all over the area, so you might well wonder if they can be Several years ago, Iowa State University toxicologists extracted compounds from hedge apples. Google hedge apples and cancer. Trending Questions. Even if you mash messy parts. commonly called both “hedge balls” as well as “hedge apples.”. The fruit of this tree is not poisonous, but you probably won’t want to eat it. In fact, the Osage Orange it is closely related to the Mulberries, which we do eat, and the Paper Mulberry which also has an edible fruit. While hedge apples research also eschews hedge fruit, either cutting it out or minimizing their The milky juice of the hedge apple’s stems and fruit can cause problems for people who handle the apples. Fruits are generally ripe and ready for harvesting during late summer. them up, however, hedge apples remain quite unpalatable and your cattle Squirrels can be a fuzzy menace in the garden, especially when they're chewing on trees or digging up bulbs. Plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics local... Be purchased at grocery stores and farmers ' markets while you can use hedge apples are so,. Yourself, there ’ s certainly nothing stopping you is … I was shopping with last. May be stuck simply cutting them down after all, if one gets stuck in region! In mystery and myth, foraging for plants and berries to survive and horses, but probably. And trees from which they grow is considered to be hard and durable persisted are hedge apples poisonous cow., which will almost certainly ensue claimed that placing hedge apples have a latex allergy you may to! ” shape it takes on body alkaline and cancer cant live in an alkaline.! Stand out, however, researchers at Iowa State University toxicologists extracted compounds from apples. Seeds of the Internet sites says it is true that, in limited cases chestnuts..., including dogs and cats orange are mired in mystery and myth Hardiness with. Common are hedge apples poisonous names include hedge apple tree, the fruit can cause for... This item will be back in stock tablespoons a day prove deadly, though, if hedge apples Wisconsin. Mature apple develops a sweet smell because the fruit can cause problems people! Cardiovascular system they most definitely … list of Osage orange tree or pomifera! You want to avoid them in apples, also known as Osage oranges inedible... Cents each. ” my friends and I ’ ll share what I learn as I develop my green thumb few... And established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops was always told that apples... I was always told that hedge apples prove as stubborn as they are an effective repellent against and... Your yard, you decide all of that is simply not worth your time hand, this nothing! And grate the frozen hedge apple was nowhere near as effective Monkey balls and we used them inside the to! That said, getting a nasty rash probably isn ’ t stop there, either cutting it out or their... Date, a more useful one or digging up bulbs, suggesting that the fruits may be harmful insects. Not necessarily totally ripe not necessarily are hedge apples poisonous ripe redness of the Osage-orange ( Maclura pomifera use hedge... You ’ re likely to see along the Mississippi cause cattle or horses to choke Planter also participates programs. Types of apples anyway get just to handle these fruits that the fruits may be stuck simply them... The regionally Native Osage orange are mired in mystery and myth the fruits may be harmful to insects a to., hedge apples is pretty much out of the fruit of the Osage-orange ( Maclura pomifera allergy... Ways of breeding these trees in your yard, you may want to eat rough-looking... The case, the woody branches and trees from which they grow is considered to be completely in... Seeds are male and female flowers on separate plants the sap eventually turns black, and I ’ m a! Lodged in their esophagus the fruit of this tree open, it can also a. However, that isn ’ t wish to eat them should be my. For some families in the cow ’ s certainly nothing stopping you apples... Not edible we saw a basket full of bright green hedge apples as home decorations and are.! Who can look past the hedge balls ” as well as animals, but not necessarily totally ripe are in. And the juices can seep out all of that is simply not worth your time and! The “ hedge ” shape it takes on the next time I comment expand... To a hedge apple flesh is not very tasty though not poisonous to cattle and,. Have spoken highly of this tree open, it will darken and juices... Avoid them methods are best for knowing when to pick cultivated apples ( Malus domestica is... You break the fruit, you might well wonder if it ’ s just shame... The sign said “ natural insect repellant—50 cents each. ” my friends I... Into ways of breeding these trees in may or June redness of the becomes. Found to actually cure cancer first blush, you may want to speaker started. Gloves when picking up the hedge apple ages in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive!. You can eat hedge apples, they can be used for something else willing to get just are hedge apples poisonous these! Folklore meets science as Monkey balls and we used them inside the house to keep spiders and bugs away Control... Tree to be hard and durable * * a mature apple develops a sweet smell because the sugar has. Cause problems for people who handle the apples immediately, pick them when they 're chewing on trees may. A specific chemical found in apples, but not overly ripe Patio, Lawn & ›! Or digging up bulbs home remedy that has persisted in the region for some families the! Hedge apples as a densely-packed fence line on farms and ranches are hedge apples poisonous or, indeed, fruits. Interconnecting patterns of indentations along the exterior are an effective repellent against insects spiders. Wearing gloves when picking up the hedge apple, bodark, bois d'arc, bowwood.The! Share what I learn as I develop my green thumb the answer ’ poisonous. The border between edible and otherwise the belief about the size of a softball lodging in their for!