Does anyone have a use for hedge apples?

**fixer** · 11-05-2008, 12:53 PM

It occurred to me while I was picking hedge apples out of the pasture that I had never heard of a use for them. For people who do not know, they come from a hedge tree or more correctly an osage orange tree. They are seed pods that are 3-4 inches in diameter and poison green.

**tbs727** · 11-05-2008, 01:08 PM

We have those here, but I had no idea what they were. I had to look it up on yahoo. Here's a link to a photo.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...sigb=12vapl3fd

**HandyMom** · 11-06-2008, 01:11 AM

They're good for repelling spiders as they dry out and begin to rot but it's what they are supposed to do. They should be replaced once a year. They seep a brown sticky substance, so it's best to place them on a dish or something, and up high where spiders lurk. I've seen them selling well on Ebay. I think they make an interesting fall decoration in bowls too. I had some all over the basement in those foil pot pie pans. Didn't have a lot of spiders that year I have to admit.

**freebs** · 11-06-2008, 07:45 AM

I have a trailer house so i throw them under my house for the spiders

**DAAC3DEC** · 11-06-2008, 08:35 AM

they are also used around here as a mouse repellant, we put them in the garage and don't have any winter mouse issues anymore.

**fixer** · 11-06-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by HandyMom

They're good for repelling spiders as they dry out and begin to rot but it's what they are supposed to do. They should be replaced once a year. They seep a brown sticky substance, so it's best to place them on a dish or something, and up high where spiders lurk. I've seen them selling well on Ebay. I think they make an interesting fall decoration in bowls too. I had some all over the basement in those foil pot pie pans. Didn't have a lot of spiders that year I have to admit.

I should not have doubted HandyMom, but I had to check Ebay. I was amazed to find farm fresh hedge apples for sale! I am going to start checking Ebay before I throw out anything.

**joyofsix** · 11-06-2008, 01:44 PM

ebay! LOL! we just line them up by the foundation for repellant. Maybe I'll live with spiders and such and make money.

**madhen** · 11-06-2008, 02:03 PM

I learned the same thing about horse chestnuts/buckeyes, in case any of you are trying to get rid of some (or want to buy some from me

)!!

**Goodwin17** · 11-07-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by HandyMom

They're good for repelling spiders as they dry out and begin to rot but it's what they are supposed to do. They should be replaced once a year. They seep a brown sticky substance, so it's best to place them on a dish or something, and up high where spiders lurk. I've seen them selling well on Ebay. I think they make an interesting fall decoration in bowls too. I had some all over the basement in those foil pot pie pans. Didn't have a lot of spiders that year I have to admit.

Ok you just totally blew my mind with the fact that these things sell on Ebay. I didn't really know you could use them as bug repellent. I know where some are, so I think I'm going to have to go collect some to use for that reason. Heck if I find enough I might sell some on ebay. That's crazy!!!!

**HandyMom** · 11-07-2008, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Goodwin17

Ok you just totally blew my mind with the fact that these things sell on Ebay. I didn't really know you could use them as bug repellent. I know where some are, so I think I'm going to have to go collect some to use for that reason. Heck if I find enough I might sell some on ebay. That's crazy!!!!

Yeah, I know! I don't even have one of those trees in my yard but I happened to see one on my way home one day. The tree is right on the side of the road and no one seemed to be picking up any of them. They were falling and scattered all in the ditch and around the tree. So we gathered some up. While I was researching uses for them I happened to do a search on Ebay and there they were! I doubt many people would think of selling them on Ebay but I look up just about everything on there!

**pinetree** · 11-08-2008, 12:19 AM

They ship them out here to colorado. The stores around here sell them for around$3.00 each.

The inlaws bring us some when they come out, they work great for mice.

**Edna_E** · 11-10-2008, 10:14 PM

I've heard that you can dry slices of them and use them to make art projects like fake flower petals if you glue them together. I haven't had any available to try it with, but may have to look for some.