Passing the cemetery and rounding the bend coming into Aurora there she was old faithful. Not only did she look glorious in the Fall sunlight but underneath her in the culvert were a multitude of large osage oranges. Always hesitant to venture into the yard here we were able to fill three plastic shopping bags with the oranges that were lying just off the highway.
We continued into the village of Aurora. We were seeking the Wells College golf course. Jackie at Smiley's told us that there was an osage orange tree near the clubhouse. A student obligingly directed us to the course. However we did not notice any tree bearing oranges. Since there were several golfers using the links we passed.
We then drove to Long Point State Park. Here Joan collected a bag of rose hips and I walked down to the shoreline.
Driving along the lake we turned back on to the highway and headed for Sherwood. Just south of the four corners we came upon another tried and tree osage orange tree. Once again today we found the culvert overflowing. Joan filled three bags.
We definitely agree that searching for osage oranges before Thanksgiving is the best time.
Upon returning home we celebrated our most successful road trip with take-out from Connie's.
Comments received by email:
Nov 15, 2009
Here in Kentucky, I saw them in the fields where I played as a young preteen. They were called horse apples and weren't considered eatable. Your pictures are very entertaining. Have a great day, Bill Mitchell
Nov 15, 2009
I haven't seen one of them in ages.. my Uncle who had the Dairy Farm would gather them up and give them to all us kids and he would have us stand across from one another to see who could hit who with them. They make good bruises on a youngster...haha
Nov 15, 2009
Here in Ohio we call them,hedge apples....
Mountain-Sprite
Nov 15, 2009
What a unique and strange looking fruit. I loved the pictures of your road trip. Please paste more. I've been to Long Island before. What a beautiful state. Enjoy your day :o)
Nov 15, 2009
Sounded like a fun trip! Enjoyed the trip photos. Thanks for sharing with us. Take care now, mitzi
Neat road trip. Scavenging as well, as a bonus.
-- jroot
Beautiful tree and very interesting fruit. When I was thinking about ideas for growing a living fence, my research brought me to the Osage Orange. Evidently, before barbwire was invented, farmers planted young Osage Orange trees close together in a line. By pruning them into a thick hedge, it would grow into a living fence horses, cattle, pigs and goats could not get through. In addition, the trunks make incredible fence posts that resist rot and termites for decades. One of these days, I might try to use this tree to grow a living fence. Thanks for the photos!
-- Robin, Massachusetts
A very successful venture to get the Orange and a Rose bud as bonus. Doug you have taken beautiful photos. Your posting has given us very important information on practical uses of Osage Orange tree for which I thank Robin.
-- Sharad
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