Do you know what this fruit is called?

Question

In the city of Sonoma CA, there is a row of trees on 2nd Street that produce a Fall crop of fruit that is chartreuse and yellow . The tree looks like a Cottonwood tree (not as tall) and the fruit resembles a human brain, varying in size from a softball to a large Grapefruit. It smells like a cross between a pineapple and pine tree. I have trepidation about eating this fruit as I cannot find any reference to it's toxic nature.

Seems like I have some wise apples answering this question LOL. I needed the laughs!
Say Isadora...That would be great if you would have your daughter check it out. The trees border the west side of a horse coral just two blocks from the Plaza. The trees look like they were planted like hedgerow.
Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your answers....So many names for the one tree and fruit! Amazing. I'm sure most of you are correct about it being an osage orange, a horse apple and even bois d'arc.
To the guy in the lipstache: After seeing the pictures I am certain that it is a scubie or an imzadi apple.

Isadora, Woops...North of the Sonoma Plaza.

Answer 1

It's a Granudy, silly! Brought with some of the first Zinfandel grapes from Italy by Arturo Brotibbogni in 1863 all but the blight of 1903 kilt all but these few Granudy trees.
Sorry. I got nothing for ya!
.

Answer 2

It sounds like an osage orange, or hedge apple. That is about what they smell like, I love the smell. Not edible tho the squirrels love them No toxic, just not good. Hard and woody. Check out this web site and look at the picture:
http://hedgeapple.com/

If that is not it, I can call my daughter and ask her to drive by and look, she lives in Sonoma, and is a plant person.

ADDED
The nursery is Weidermans, I believe. I have been in Sonoma quite often but never noticed those trees. If you send me your email I will let you know when I find out.

Answer 3

I agree - it sounds like a "horse apple" to me! You definitely do NOT want to eat it; it's not toxic, but it doesn't taste good, either. I've seen many fields with horse-apple/osage orange trees growing that had livestock, and the horse-apples were untouched, even when the grass and other fodder around the tree was cropped to the ground - pretty good indicator of a bad taste. Quite frankly, except for growing more trees, I haven't found anybody who's really found ANY use for them ;-)

Answer 4

Most osage orange trees I have seen have large thorns on them. If it is an osage, they are not good to eat but work well for deterring spiders.

Answer 5

It sounds like the Osage Orange, Maclura pomifera, which I certainly would not eat. http://www.gpnc.org/osage.htm Check this website to see if it is the tree you described.

Answer 6

I have lived in Sonoma, and I think i have seen what you have described, but I never thought to ask the name. I would go to that nursery near the corner of 5th st west and broadway, think it starts with a W, can't remember it exactly. but the folks there are very knowledgeable and if you took them a sample, they could tell you i'm sure. could you let me know if you find out? thanks.

Answer 7

Indigenous to Sonoma, its called the 2nd street human pine brain fruit.

Answer 8

It sounds like a Horse Apple...and no it's NOT good to eat

http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Osage_Orange.htm

Picture....

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/34990/

Answer 9

osage orange

Answer 10

The common name is "horse apples". But horses do not eat them, and you should not eat them. :o)

Picture:
http://www.osagehedgeballs.com/

FAQ:
http://www.osagehedgeballs.com/faq.htm