Stumbled upon this weird, bumpy green ball under the trees. It looks like a brain and is sticky to touch. What is it?

In the 19th century, the tree was widely planted as a ‘living fence’ before the invention of barbed wire. The dense, thorny branches formed an effective barrier to livestock. Additionally, various folk remedies have been derived from the tree’s sap and wood, though these uses are largely anecdotal and not scientifically validated.

A common myth surrounding Osage oranges is their supposed ability to repel spiders and other pests. Many people place the fruits around their homes as a natural insect deterrent.

However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. While the fruit contains compounds that can be mildly repellant, their effectiveness is not well-documented. Most experts agree that any pest-repelling properties are likely minimal.

While the Osage orange is distinctive, it can sometimes be confused with other fruits or nuts. One potential lookalike is the black walnut, which also has a rough, green exterior, but is generally smaller and releases a strong, pungent odor when opened.