Hedgeapple.com - Poems

Horse Apples

By Nancy Fitz-Gerald Viens

Tail end of a ragtag summer, Horse apple time in Texas When heat lifts its heavy hand Briefly from my shoulder, and The sun sinks like a golden balloon Behind Longhorn Meadow. Green globes of luminescent Day-Glo Big as Texas grapefruit Lie in the Bermuda grass, Hefty enough for small boys To chunk at tree trunks or a passing car With a satisfying "thunk."

Lumpy, ludicrous fruit You broadcast the possibility Of autumn once again, The possibility of cool nights Under a down comforter, The possibility of a giant twist In the atmosphere, a hurricane To stir up dregs of my lethargic soul Worn down by one hundred degree heat-- The great, gigantic, final possibility Of rain.

Recent Guestbook Entries

I just fought a losing battle on my campus to preserve a stand of osage orange trees. The head of the grounds keeping didn't like them and no matter how I explained that they were part of our history and were left when we built the school I lost. I did not lose well, I ended up apollogizing to a number of people for my inappropriate language but this fat old hippie gal did win the second part of the battle. They have called a moratorium on the cutting of any more trees on campus. I called the local woodworkers and found homes for most of the wood that the idiots were going to make mulch out of. Love your site, love osage orange trees too. When I get moved I will but one in the middle of my yard and treat it right!

- Cheri

Great Webpage! However... Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa states on his page: www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1997/10-10-1997/hedgeapple.html; That there are no scientific facts that supports the use of "Hedge Apples" for pest control! Perhaps someone should do a research paper on this,and earn their Doctorate Degree.

- Leon

Recent Survey Entries

Name: Jerry
State: OH
Years used: 3
How many used: 5
Obtained: Picked your own
Places where used: Basement
Pest After: Spiders
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 75% Reduction
Cockroaches: Not Sure
Ants: Not Sure
Slugs: Not Sure
Crickets: Not Sure
Fleas: Not Sure
Date Obtained: September
Any initial activity? No
Started Working?: One Month
Duration of Effect: One Year
How widespread: Widespread, throughout the house
Place them on a container? Rarely
General Comments: When my husband and I were first married and bought our house he swore by using hedgeapples to control spiders. Now I remind him to go out every year and get new hedgeapples..
Did They Work: Yes

Name: Susan
State: IA
Years used: ...as long as I can remember, my mom used them when I was growing up!
How many used: 5-10
Obtained: Other
Places where used: Garage, inside and outside front door of house, living room, outside and inside patio door, laundry room
Pest After: Spiders
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 100% Reduction
Cockroaches: Not Sure
Ants: Not Sure
Slugs: Not Sure
Crickets: 100% Reduction
Fleas: Not Sure
Date Obtained: August
Any initial activity? Not Sure
Started Working?: One Week
Duration of Effect: Six Months
How widespread: Widespread, throughout the house
Place them on a container? Never
General Comments: Old wives tale or not my mom trusted it and it worked... now I use it and it works... Plus they're always a conversation piece when people come over..
Did They Work: Yes