Bois d’arc for a Squirrel

The fruit is not poisonous to humans or livestock, as shown by several studies. However, it is mostly inedible due to its taste and its extremely hard texture. The seeds of the fruit are edible and it is sometimes torn apart by squirrels to get at the seeds, but few other native animals make use of it as a food source. This is unusual, as many large fleshy fruits serve the function of seed dispersal by means of their consumption by large animals.