Horse Apples

When I asked if anyone knew what these were, their answer was that they had always called them "horse apples" or Bois D'Arc. They are actually the fruit of the Bois D'Arc or Osage-orange tree. They are not edible though sometimes squirrels will open them to eat the seeds inside. When I cut the bumpy fruit open,the milky sap stuck to my knife and it was solid and spongy all the way through. They are native to this area and when the wood is cut and dried it burns clean and long in a fireplace. The wood was used by the Osage Indians to make their bows and is good for tool handles and such. The sap can be used to deter spiders, fleas, and roaches which makes it an unusual, but good plant in my book.