Wildlife Food for Thought: Osage Orange (2024)

FAQs

Wildlife Food for Thought: Osage Orange? ›

A common question about the Osage orange is “what eats it,” especially in reference to the peculiar fruits. Perhaps surprisingly, the fruits, though tough and sticky, are readily torn apart by squirrels that seek out the pulp and seeds. Even northern bobwhite consume the seeds when encountering a torn-apart fruit.

It wasn't until the first big mature bucks showed up on the scene that I finally got my answer. As you can see in the following pictures, the older males do feed on Osage Oranges, and they eat them with relish! This spot was visited frequently by several big males.

Nutritional Value. Osage oranges are not commonly consumed, making the fruits mostly unstudied for their nutritional properties. The fruits are thought to contain some essential oils and antioxidants. According to Midwestern folklore, Osage oranges are sometimes used as a natural insect repellant.

Raccoons eat both plant and animal matter, including persimmons, grapes, Osage oranges, blackberries, grasses, corn, acorns, pecans, and other nuts, as well as crayfish, clams, fish, snails, a wide range of insects, frogs, snakes, bird eggs, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and more.

When the female trees' fruit is ready, it is 3 to 5 inches across and falls to the ground in September and October. Other members of the Osage-orange family include the mulberry and the fig. Many bird species, squirrels, and deer enjoy it.

Perhaps surprisingly, the fruits, though tough and sticky, are readily torn apart by squirrels that seek out the pulp and seeds. Even northern bobwhite consume the seeds when encountering a torn-apart fruit. Even more, white-tailed deer, especially bucks, consume the fruits from time to time.

Cut-surface treatment with Garlon 3A, a selective translocated herbicide, effectively controls Osage orange. A diluted solution of Garlon 3A (50-percent solution in water) can be sprayed on cut surfaces or else wiped on the cut surface using a sponge applicator. Either a stump or girdle can be used for the cut surface.

Indians had other uses for the Osage orange. The stout wood was well suited for war clubs and tomahawk handles. The ridged and scaly bark of the trunk provided both a fiber for rope and tannin for making leather. Root tea was used to wash sore eyes and the roots and inner bark were used to make a light orange dye.

If the fruit is crushed it exudes a bitter, milky juice. Osage orange fruit cut open, showing white, seedy pulp inside. Osage orange fruit are definitely not edible, and most foraging animals will not eat them. Only squirrel and the deer will eat the tiny seeds inside, which are the only edible part.

The tree wood was useful for war clubs, tomahawk handles, rope, and tannin. Early settlers and pioneers found the wood of the Osage orange tree incredibly useful as well. The strength of its wood helped create valuable wagon wheel rims and hubs.

What is the wildlife value of Osage orange? ›

IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Osage-orange provides shelter and cover for wildlife. Small mammals and birds use the thorny tree for cover.

Are osage orange poisonous to dogs? Osage orange are not toxic to dogs. Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.

Average spread is 25 feet (60 feet maximum). Stem diameter averages 1.5 feet diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground (6 feet diameter maximum). Osage-orange is a surprising rapid growing tree on the best sites, and has a relatively long life-span (approaching 130 years).

The Osage orange is dioecious meaning that there are both female and male trees; only female trees produce fruit. So far, we have one female tree laden with these warty looking fruits.

The fruits are consumed by black-tailed deer in Texas, and white-tailed deer and fox squirrels in the Midwest. Crossbills are said to peck the seeds out.

Hedge apple fruit

It's full of sticky, acrid white latex or milk (be careful, it just might irritate the skin) along with hundreds of seeds, and it emits an "orange" scent from which the tree derived its name. Squirrels and chipmunks love hedge apples; humans do not, but they're not poisonous. Cattle can choke on them.

Typical greens include clover and brassicas. Common cereal grains include winter wheat, oats, soybeans and corn.

While some small things can be protected with fencing or deer-repellant spray, these defenses are simply not practical for protecting long hedges. Fortunately, we grow a selection of deer proof hedges as well as hedges that deer just don't prefer to eat unless they are really hungry.

Although it is not 100% effective, you can purchase deer repellent which makes deer stay away from your fruit trees and flowers. Another effective way is to construct a fence that is at least 6′ tall around the trees and/or flowers.