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Flippin HawTHORN !

JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 977
in The potting shed
Lives up to its name! Spent a good part of today thinning out trees, bushes and a hugely overgrown clematis… but was more than surprised when I realized the length of the thorns on the hawthorn.

no matter the thickness of the gloves I am feeling the effects of several nasty falling branches.

so what other plants compare to these for lethal branches?🌵
Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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Posts

  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 804
    Cactus and succulents.
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,623
    Berberis, especially 'juliani'
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    Blackthorn and pyracantha.
    The plum-leaved hawthorn, crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' has horrifying thorns!
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 673
    Dog rose. Relentlessly finds a way to cling onto you.
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 977
    Oh yes dog rose is another nemesis from mum aresanal of terrifying plants to be cut back. I do wonder if it’s intentional that she has let these particular plants get so out of hand.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,576
    Buckthorn!! 🤬 Why the hell anyone would plant it in a tiny garden is beyond me, but it took a LOT of very careful handling to get it down - it was about 15x20x10ft, and then I had to stick a bucket over the stump for ages to stop it sprouting. 
    We also have a massive locust tree in the front garden which has lethal prongs, the tree is beautiful but its twigs are horrendous! If I wasn't renting I'd replace it, but I've seen what tree surgeons cost. 😮
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,761

    Chaenomeles cathayensis - Chinese Quince. A monster version of the more common Japanese quince with vicious thorns.






  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 977
    Yikes a whole list of things to avoid. I need to spend more time tomorrow cutting the branches up smaller to fit in the bin. Definitely planning the strong gloves 🧤 
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 673
    Not necessarily a recpmmendation to avoid..  that's up to you.

    Personally I love hawthorn and dog rose - they make up the majority of my native hedge. They are a pain when it comes to trimming back or working anywhere near them but for me I'm happy to put up with it.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,121
    Poncirus trifoliata would make a formidable hedge ; I grow it as a solitary specimen at a safe distance from where we walk !!
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