I finally checked online to be sure, and found that my suspicion that I knew the tree by a different name was correct. My family, for at least 4 generations, comes from north central Texas, and far eastern Texas (3 generations born in same hospital!). We've always called the tree a "Bois d'Arc" (Bois du Arc French for "wood of the bow") and as I recall called the fruits "horse apples," though I can think of no reason to do so. Texas A&M lists the name "horse-apple" for the tree, so I must not be completely nuts for thinking that. I had never heard of it being used for insect repelling. Will have to ask my grandparents. Some websites mention the insect repelling, and I also read that squirrels and deer like to eat them. More info at: http://www.osageorange.com/ (look for Osage Orange history link halfway down page for link list) Debra in Fort Worth [Posted in FML issue 3564]