Strange! Weighs almost 2 pounds! Don't be under the tree when it falls! The tree is shown below. The sign is calling it the Tree of Month in Searcy AR and is located right behind Mayfair Hotel which has just been sold to new owners. The third picture shows parts of my car parked amidst the dropped fruit and shows how big the fruit is and some that has been crushed by traffic. I picked up one and brought it home with me.
Here is what City of Searcy facebook entry says about the tree.
'"This month, the Searcy Tree Board is proud to recognize the Osage Orange, a uniquely American tree with a fascinating history. Also called bodark or hedge apple, it is instantly recognizable by its large, wrinkled green fruit often found scattered beneath its branches in the fall.
Key Features:
Fruit: The tree produces grapefruit-sized, chartreuse-green fruits with a distinctive bumpy surface. While not typically eaten by people, they are an iconic part of the autumn landscape.
Leaves & Form: Simple, glossy leaves turn golden yellow in fall. The tree typically reaches 30–50 feet in height.
Wood: Extremely dense and durable, Osage Orange wood was prized by Native Americans for making bows—hence its French name bois d’arc, or “wood of the bow.” It is also one of the best woods for fence posts because of its rot resistance.
In the 1800s, before barbed wire, farmers planted Osage Orange in rows as “living fences” to contain livestock. The fruit attracts squirrels and deer, while the dense branches provide nesting cover for birds. Native to the south-central United States, this tree has long been woven into the story of Arkansas farming and settlement.
The Osage Orange behind the old Mayfair Hotel is a reminder of the resilience and usefulness of native trees. Its striking fruit and tough wood make it an unforgettable part of our community’s landscape."
Comments(7)