WTH eats Hedgeapples

[Jackalope]

Walking to check a cam the other day I kept seeing these green fluffy piles on top of the snow. They looked almost like a pile of flower petals. It took me a moment to realize it was a dismantled hedgeapple. So WTH is eating hedgeapples?

 

[formerbowhunter1023]

I've seen squirrels roll them around. I figure a coon might dig into them as well. Didn't see any bear tracks did you?!?

 

[Jackalope]

I've seen squirrels roll them around. I figure a coon might dig into them as well. Didn't see any bear tracks did you?!?

Nah, this was in Clark county Not Vinton.

 

[Schu72]

Deer will eat them. There is an osage orange tree at my Mom's house. They tend to hit them late in the year.

 

[tuffshot]

Squirels is the only thing I've seen eat them, just the core though.
I've seen them put them on a picnic table in state parks and put each piece layed out like a fan on the table.

 

[Mike]

From google

Chop one in half and you will see a pithy core surrounded by up to 200 small seeds (smaller than sunflower seeds) that are much sought-after by squirrels. Try to harvest these seeds for yourself and you will get a clear understanding of how much the squirrels must like them! In addition to ripping apart the tough, stringy fruit, there is a slimy husk around each individual seed that must also be removed before the seed can be eaten. Nonetheless, Osage Orange trees are a magnet for every squirrel in the neighborhood. They typically sit on the ground at the base of the tree or on a wide branch up in the tree to disassemble their prize, making a big mess in the process. Piles of shredded hedge apple are a sure sign of squirrels in the area.

 

[cotty16]

I was like, WTF are hedgeapples??? Looked them up and realized it is what we've always called monkey balls. I'll be damned. Never knew they had a real name. Lol

My mom puts those in the corners of her basement. Says they keep spiders out. Who knows...

 

[formerbowhunter1023]

I've heard the spider thing before. We always called them hedge apples TOO...

 

[Matt]

I've heard hedge apples and monkey balls both. What I did not know was that was what an osage orange tree was. I hear milo talkin about using it to make bows before, but never knew what it was. There is a whole mess of em in a fencerow at a place where we hunt. It's always the last row to push and when we get to the end, we usually throw a few up to shoot them. Fun stuff.

 

[formerbowhunter1023]

As a surveyor, my old man had to know trees to make his living. We worked 30+ weekends a year when I was growing up because he always had side work. I learned a lot about trees when I was a young 'un and I was always fascinated by the osage orange tree. I loved when we worked near one and dad would talk off on one of his walk-abouts looking for a corner. I'd use the machete to cut a big stick, then toss and crack hedge apples until my hands hurt. Lots of osages in the fencelines in WV...

 

[Schu72]

I was like, WTF are hedgeapples??? Looked them up and realized it is what we've always called monkey balls. I'll be damned. Never knew they had a real name. Lol

My mom puts those in the corners of her basement. Says they keep spiders out. Who knows...

Yep Cotty, that's what we called them. Must be a hillbilly thing.lol

 

[Jackalope]

So Squirrels... huh.. Cool.. Thanks


Hedge apples
Horse apples
Monkey balls

They are the fruit of the Osage Orange tree.

 

[uglykat26]

ever see what a 50 cal muzzleloader or a twelve gauge slug does to em , kinda fun

 

[Hoytmania]

Osage makes for some good fire wood in the winter too. Stuff burns just as hot as locust. Only thing is you will need a chain sharpener on sight when cutting it. I have seen sparks fly while cutting osage before with a chainsaw, and no there was no fence in the tree.

 

["J"]

Been putting them in the basement for years to keep spiders at a minimum. Some people actually pay a Buck a piece for them. I have an area where I pick them up and give them to people who want them get them right after the first frost they drop really good...

 

[rrr]

I came home from College on a break last year and those were in the basement to keep the spiders away...and here I just thought mom and dad went crazy when I was away geeze

 

[Tree Monkey]

I am with you cotty....them are monkey balls

 

[Diablo54]

My grandmother uses them for spiders also. Alot off ppl make bows with them.


Sent from my iPhone using TapaaaaaaTalk

 

[Jackalope]

Guys.. The Spider thing is hokus pokus. lol

 

[Hunter II]

These ladies have been eating them during their midday siesta breaks. If I don't hunt tomorrow afternoon I will see if I can get a pic of them in action.