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

End October 2008: My husband and I drove through quiet Veedersburg, IN, just south of I-74, in search of a post office. We were cruising along its rural roads, enjoying the fall scenery, when our attention was drawn to dozens of oversized black walnuts in the grass - or so we thought. Back east we have used those strong tasting nuts in cakes, breads and stews, so we were rather eager to collect some. As we approached the sprawling patch of fluorescent green balls, we noticed that they had bubbles or warts all over their skins, and we were completely baffled by this alien fruit. Finally we asked an elderly couple walking by to identify it for us. First they looked at us as if we were from another planet. Then they looked at the fruit, at each other, and back at us, and smiled. - Why, hedge apple! - Is it edible? - No, but it is not poisonous - I think. - What is it used for? - Well, some folks keep it in their basement to keep the bugs out... We found these apples with their delicate citrus fragrance quite decorative and decided to hang on to a few of them anyway. Now we are mighty glad we did, because your splendid web site is wildly inspiring! Keep up the fun works!

- Catherine

I have seen this tree for a couple of years and finally did my research. i know of only one female tree near me and it sits in a very old cemetery in the ohio city neighborhood of cleveland's westside; monroe cemetery. i usually take the kids to this cemetary near halloween and all these balls get smashed under the weight of the car tires. these hedgeapples are great looking brain things that are good for halloween mischeiviousness!

- Jeff

Recent Survey Entries

Name: D
State: WI
Years used: 1
How many used: 5
Obtained: Grocery Store
Places where used: Just placed in rooms in the wndow or whatever, thats where spiders live right? well all of 'em I guess.
Pest After: spiders mostly
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 100% Reduction
Cockroaches: 100% Reduction
Ants: Not Sure
Slugs: Not Sure
Crickets: Not Sure
Fleas: Not Sure
Date Obtained: July
Any initial activity? No
Started Working?: One Day
Duration of Effect: Three Months
How widespread: Widespread, throughout the house
Place them on a container? Never
General Comments: ow long did the effect of the Hedgeapples last ? = I dunno the sign at the market said 3-6 months its only 3 months into it. I am rather skeptical person however this rather ugly ball works I have no spider webs and no foot bites on my ankles. Buy 3-4 and place around your bed posts or whatever stands you use at your head/foot while sleeping. I thought yeh right..well I was wrong I will be back for more ( next) spider season!.
Did They Work: Yes

Name: Melissa
State: SD
Years used: two
How many used: 1
Obtained: Grocery Store
Places where used: Basement, doorway facing lakeside of house
Pest After: spiders, crickets and wireworms
Reduction Percentage:
Spiders: 75% Reduction
Cockroaches: Not Sure
Ants: 75% Reduction
Slugs: 75% Reduction
Crickets: 75% Reduction
Fleas: 75% Reduction
Date Obtained: September
Any initial activity? No
Started Working?: One Day
Duration of Effect: One Month
How widespread: Very Localized
Place them on a container? Always
General Comments: Work great! I set (3) by my doorway and the next morning I did not see any crickets on the floor, didn't hear any through the night either. I will be purchasing more for the laundry room!.
Did They Work: Yes