Bodark apples.

Yeah, I know that’s not the correct spelling.

About 25 years ago a friend killed a monster, record breaking buck, in North Texas on his private land. I talked to him about it and he said that he was hunting his bios d arc (bodark) trees. He said they ignored his corn feeders to get to the apples from the trees.

I’m going to try it this year. I’ve noted some trees in the Fort Worth area. To keep the hogs away from them I’m building and, when possible, buying tables high enough to eliminate hog feeding.

I’ll still fill my 5 corn feeders but only throw for a second or 2.

Will it work? We will see.

Why not build a fence similar to what every builds around a feeder?

I am not following the "tables" idea. How does that work?

I read an article once that talked about the Hedge apples and deer. Apparently these guys put up cameras on them and the only deer that ate them were mature bucks and the only time they had evidence of them being eaten was late in the year mostly post rut and they would just swallow them whole. Seems like an energy replacement after being run down.

I’ve never seen any evidence that would suggest that deer eat “horse apples”. What I have seen, time and again, is deer eating the lush grass in the drip zone of those trees.

In Grayson county many many years ago when I hunted public land there every year, one of my bow stand spots was under a bodark tree. I witnessed deer eating horse apples several times, but it was not the whole ones. They ate ones that had been torn up to bits by squirrels. I discovered it when I was hunting squirrels in the same area. There have been other areas of the state I have hunted with bodark trees present where nothing would eating the horse apples. So it may be related to a lack of other food sources or mast being available in the immediate area. Or maybe even a lack of squirrels to break them down for the deer.

Searcher, I have some old steel tables with “sides” on them. They’re about 3 ft tall with with about 3 inch high edges. Also, grandsons built some wooden tables with edges/sides on them. They filled them with protein pellets and powder that the deer and hogs mostly ignored. Coons were the most frequent visitor. Rain mostly killed that project due to rotten powder.

My observation is that corn trumps everything. But, coons and pigs pretty well clean everything out in a hurry.

The bodark Idea is something that I’ve thought about for many years and haven’t gotten off my butt and tried it.

They rot on the ground here with dozens of deer hanging around and not eating them.

Squirrels love them, deer not so much

A deer swallowing something the size of, or larger than a softball whole?

Corn is not king over high quality browse, like a wheat field or any type of food plot. Corn is an attraction and a dessert!

Saw a osage orange that had been split
Open and eaten mostly sitting on the felled log of another osage orange tree.

Figure it must have been a coon to put it there and eat it.

Yelp, I’ve seen deer literally walk over corn to eat white acorns. My old farm deer would hardly touch corn until late winter, after all the acorns , beans, alfalfa and clover where gone.

Same here....nothing eats them....least of all deer.

I've heard the old timers would roll them under pier and beam houses as a natural bug repellant.

On Kansas deer hunts, I have seen deer nibble on hedge apples from time to time. They don't attack them like the apples are a favorite staple, but if one is busted open and the deer don't have to work too hard, they will get a bite or two. I must admit though, that a large apple hitting the ground from high up, in low light while the woods are still and quiet can give you quite a start.

I have a buddy who's been bringing them down to the ranchito for me from Kansas. I'd like to get some good hedge growth out there for nothing else than to provide a little better firewood. I know there are better options but it's free with no work needed and I'm not able to be there to tend them anyway. If they catch on, great. If not, no biggie.

Firewood? You better buy stock in your chainsaw company of choice. That’s possibly the silliest thing I’ve ever heard on here. Good luck is all I got

Oh thank you, sir, great God of the Lumberjacks! Thank you for helping me to see the error of my ways before I make the deadly mistake of turning my chainsaw loose into living concrete!

You act like I have never put a chainsaw to a hedge tree. A good buddy and I have spent hours splitting hedge on his ranch and it's not that big of a deal. No, it's not soft and not the ideal wood, but it grows quickly and it's one of the only things that would grow well out there other than the cottonwood and elms I mentioned earlier. There are tons of it all around my place, just down the road- but none on me. Another good buddy has his own portable mill and produces some amazing woodworks from hedge too. It's a beautiful wood.

There are not a lot of oak, poplar, or any of the other desirable hardwoods out there, or even pine, nor would they grow well. I'm also not trying to start a hedge plantation, but just looking for other viable options. It burns super hot and resists rotting really well. It's ok for fireplace use, but you need a robust screen as it sparks and pops like no other.

And if this is one of the silliest things you've heard on here, you've obviously missed 99% of the ridiculousness said on THF. But, so glad I could amuse you and provide a target for your ridicule and disrespect...

Thanks again for wishing me luck! Have a good night, sir.

I was busting your chops scooter, don’t be so dang sensitive. I’ve literally made a ton of money over the years removing these trees since most people hate them but if it’s your thing thing roll with it. My ground crew’s would rather fight a pissed off rattler in their pants than cut on this stuff but if you think it’s a viable option for your situation then go for it.

I am glad to see you refer to me as a lumber Jack though I’ve earned that tittle after 29 years of removing forests from the face of the earth.. If you need more apples pm me and I can supply you with as many as you want to load up.

Thank you, sir.

Not sensitive in the least, but with the prevalence of keyboard commandos and people who simply don't know how or outright refuse to treat each other with dignity and respect these days, I am ready to stand my ground.

I can absolutely see how they can be a nuisance and have seen many nuisance hedge trees over the years, be they growing over driveways or as "hedges" along fence lines. I am sure you've forgotten more about trees than I'll likely ever know and I do appreciate the insight. But what's one man's nuisance is another man's answer. I have no love for hedge, but no hate for it either. Be safe, lumberjack. Don't need any apples at this time, but I'm always happy to take any advice you'd like to share.

They prefer the leaves over the apples

If you want natural deer attracting forage, plant many persimmon trees
and honeysuckle, not to mention the oaks and hickory trees and other
mast bearing trees
Bo-darks and hackberry trees only grow in places that you don't
want them. Trying to cultivate them only makes them wither
and die

Max, I have 133 acres that is almost solid oaks. Well, not solid. I have some world class rocks and some cedars.

Interesting that you say trying to cultivate them can make them die. I’m going to collect some of the “apples” this year just to see what happens.

Where I hunt the deer and hogs don’t eat them. I put a hedge apple where we normally feed, covered it with corn. Next day corn was gone and apple still there.
Bodark stock for an Encore, no finish. Considerably heavier than walnut.

Bodark aka ozark orange was used for windbreak and wildlife refuge for centuries. Pretty much a briar patch. Used to plant them on farms as a kid. Varmints might pick at them but not deer. Don't remember horses eating them either. Very hard wood but full of rosin that burns like crazy. Similar to Mesquite.

I have never burned any, does it burn good?
My brother has made some amazing bows out of it.
On my grandpas place the used them for post years back, and while patching fence, I couldn’t get a steeple in them they were cured out so hard.

Can’t speak for Texas, but here in Missouri the deer and squirrels love hedge apples.
I have a hedge tree about 60 yards from my ladder stand. Most of the time it is too brushy to get off any shots. I have shot a fair number of does off them. Last year in addition to a doe, I also took a 7 point under the hedge tree. It definitely is an area I keep my eye and binos on.