That's all I ever heard them called around here, hedge trees and hedge rows. Never heard a hedge ball called a horse apple either, that's what comes out of the rear end of a horse.
The old timers around here just planted straight rows for wind breaks around the fields and roads. I've never seen one here woven together in any way. The younger famers today can't push them out fast enough to suit them. They might get to experience the Dirty Thirties dust storms if they keep it up, the old timers planted them for a good reason.

I agree. one invasive species in this area I don't mind. yeah I've never heard of Osage orange tree rows...just hedge rows

They are native here but uncommon. I don't believe they ever saw widespread use as windrows here as cedars were more effective at keeping the wind from whipping up topsoil. They are a novelty and most people here have never seen one. In fact, the property owner where I picked up the fruits had no idea that such a tree existed let alone was on the property. He is eagerly awaiting seedlings.
I am running germination tests now, if rates are good, I'll try to distribute a few hundred.


One tray of peat pellets and one good old moist paper towel in a ziplock.

Tons of hedge rows around here.

Hedge - the living fence.

My technique is to gather hedge apples in the fall, place in plastic garbage cans and let sit open over the winter. They essentially breakdown / rot with the freeze and the thaw, in the spring they will become a mushy slurry. Create a furrow, pour slurry down furrow, cover lightly. In a couple of weeks hundreds of sprouts. My understanding is this is close to how hedge rows / living fences were made prior to barbed wire. Cut the new growth at the height you desire, they will branch out sideways and entangle.

And...we have germination! About 70% so far. I bought enough cell trays to get 120 trees going.

Lookin good.

I boiled some of the wood once and got a beautiful dye for my buckskin.