Maclura pomifera #3 (Osage Orange)

This large tree is most easily recognized by its yellow colored wood and large green fruits found on the female plants.  The fruits are often referred to as Hedge Apples, although edible they are quite unpalatable to humans.  Birds enjoy the small seeds found once the fruit has ripened.   The flowers are inconspicuous although fragrant and appear in the spring.  Wildlife enjoy this uniquely shaped tree that can form thickets with its irregular shaped thorny branches.  It is believed to be native to the Southwest United States but has been introduced by Native Americans thought the Eastern portion of the US.  It was originally used by settlers as fencing material due to fact that the wood is very rot resistant.