Yesterday I took advantage of having some extra hands at home and we did a little clean up in the front woods. All of these trees had fallen and many were quite brittle. In addition to moving the fallen trees we had to tangle with vines. Most of these vines were honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, a good vine to be rid of.
While moving one of the trees we were getting scratched and pricked.....after we put the tree on the pile I went back to see what was jabbing us. Looks like some kind of Hawthorn, since it is a very small shrub, it is hard to tell what kind. Check out those thorns!!
I am married to someone who doesn't like things that have thorns (he does tolerate roses). It is his desire that this shrub and any of its friends be removed. Given this is almost invisible in the woods, I tend to agree as I would be the one who would walk into it. These are sharp, long thorns....say good bye ----
As the trees were being lifted up through the tangle of vines and other small trees, it was easy to manuever into the next property---- except for the Devil's Walking Stick grove. Arailia spinosa is one thorny mess. Yes, I know it is a native (as well as the Hawthorn) but if he comes into my yard, good bye!
We also have a few vines that have thorns. Both are varieties of Smilax. This one, Smilax bona-nox also has spines protruding from the edge of the leaf. We all looked like we had had a battle with a wild cat trying to get trees freed from this vine!
Here's to hoping everyone is free of thorny issues in the new year! Happy New Year everyone!
words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.
