Don't Fence Me In
Dec 9, 2020 13:38:51 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
This is a hedge apple trunk (maclura pomifera), also called Osage orange, once a stout and strong natural fence around the edge of farm fields throughout the Midwest. In the fall after harvest, cattle were turned out in the fields to clean up what ears of corn escaped the harvester. When pruned, the hedge apple sprouted abundant shoots from its base; as these shoots grew, they became interwoven and formed a dense, thorny barrier.
Hedge apple was replaced by the invention of barbed wire, and today fences are being taken out everywhere, as farms no longer have cattle or hogs. Hedge makes great fence posts and hot-burning firewood, but is so tough that it takes a bulldozer to remove it.
Hedge apple was replaced by the invention of barbed wire, and today fences are being taken out everywhere, as farms no longer have cattle or hogs. Hedge makes great fence posts and hot-burning firewood, but is so tough that it takes a bulldozer to remove it.
Dec 9, 2020 13:42:11 #
Dec 9, 2020 13:50:34 #
Amator21
Loc: California
couch coyote wrote:
This is a hedge apple trunk (maclura pomifera), al... (show quote)
Technology is killing an other natural being!
Dec 9, 2020 14:02:14 #
Dec 10, 2020 00:32:28 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
joecichjr wrote:
Magnificent old tree!
Nature's sculpture, aren't they amazing? Thanks for looking!
Dec 10, 2020 00:35:31 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
Amator21 wrote:
Technology is killing an other natural being!
I don't really understand, by technology do you mean the invention of barbed wire in the 1800's? Thanks for taking time to look!
Dec 10, 2020 00:36:13 #
Dec 10, 2020 08:13:01 #
Dec 10, 2020 11:45:43 #
DonB
Loc: Port Royal , Tn
The midwestern native Americans used this wood to build some powerful bows. My cousins and I as young boys did the same and accounted for many a bullfrog during the 1950's.
Dec 10, 2020 13:08:18 #
Dec 10, 2020 20:50:05 #
SWFeral
Loc: SWNM
What a fascinating tree. I'd love to encounter one, especially if I had my camera. Thanks for the photo and the explanation.
Dec 11, 2020 14:00:49 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
jaymatt wrote:
I used to see a lot of those around here, not too many left.
Yes, they take up a lot of space, I guess farmers feel that space is better utilized for crops. Thanks for commenting, jaymatt!
Dec 11, 2020 14:04:28 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
DonB wrote:
The midwestern native Americans used this wood to build some powerful bows. My cousins and I as young boys did the same and accounted for many a bullfrog during the 1950's.
Cool! Bet that would make great bows, I know the wood is very strong. In my town there still are houses that have hedge posts in the basement, supporting the house. Thanks for your input, DonB!
Dec 11, 2020 14:08:48 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
SWFeral wrote:
What a fascinating tree. I'd love to encounter one, especially if I had my camera. Thanks for the photo and the explanation.
They're like a quirky, spreading sculpture full of texture. No two alike; they each have their own personality. Quirky can be beautiful. Thanks for looking, Feral!
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