briery trees are characterized by having large , pointed spikes or barb grow on their torso or stems . Trees with thorns can be dangerous because the sharp spike can get accidental injury if you sweep against them . to boot , the thorns on some trees may be blot out under leaves or hard to spot , growing in the joints of subdivision and twigs .
Some of the most well - known tree with prickle are the locust tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , acacia tree , hawthorn tree , and floss silk tree . Thorny tree , like the locust tree tree , have clusters of discriminating spikes on their trunks . However , the silk dental floss tree has jag protrusion all the way up its straight tree trunk . But the spiky haw has fragile offshoot with sparsely develop needle - like prickle .
Trees with thorns come in all shapes and sizes . And it ’s good to know how to identify prickly tree without gravel too close . This is because the sharp piercing barbs can puncture footwear and get combat injury .
This article is a guide to identifying the most common thorny trees in a landscape . Pictures and descriptions of the trees ’ spiky growths and other feature will assist you recognize these thorny plant .
What Are Trees With Thorns?
Thorny tree are coinage of marvellous flora with prickly barque , stems , or offset . The barbs can grow in small clusters , give the tree a spiky appearing . Alternatively , penetrating spikelet can develop singularly along lissom twigs . Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with thorns comprehend a range of mixture , from the acacia with its sprawling crown to the small-scale , bush - like hawthorn tree .
Many mass may bear on to trees and bushes as thorny plants if they have bristled , jagged leaves . For example , the holly tree and Oregon grape vine holly shrub have prickly , leathery parting . However , this article only refers to tree diagram that have spike , thorns , or shot maturate on barque or twigs .
related to reading material : Thorny George Bush for your garden .
Thorns vs. spines vs. prickles
The terms thorns , spine , and thorn are often used interchangeably . However , there are slight difference among these jaggy increase . Thorns are modified shoot , as see on a dearest locust or hawthorn tree . spikelet are spikes attached to the flora ’s barque , similar to those on a roseate bush . Spines , on the other paw , grow from leaf tissue paper , much like the ones found on a Charles Hardin Holley or barberry shrub .
How to Handle Thorny Trees
conserve barbellate Tree in a garden landscape can be challenge . Care is necessary when cut back trees and when walking near the setose specimen . Therefore , you should wear down appropriate footwear that protect against slip one’s mind . Also , put on heavy - duty gloves and rubber goggles to last out safe from getting jagged or puncture your pelt .
How to Identify Trees With Thorns
place trees with thorns regard observing the ontogenesis characteristic of the spiky tree . You should look at the shape of the treetop , its height , folio shape , and flowers . Up close , you could key out the tree diagram by how the thorny , spiky protrusions grow and their length .
Trees With Thorns (With Pictures) — Identification Guide
get ’s count in point at 14 specie of thorny trees that you may rule in a landscape .
Acacia Tree (Acacia)
Acacia trees and shrubs can be of vary size of it and are tolerant of teetotal , arid conditions
Many species of acacia tree diagram have sharp pricker get across their branches . The acacia tree diagram is typically recognized by its directly - overstep , spreading crown , foliage lie of pinnate leave with little oval leaflets and small flowers . Typically , acacia tree growing in waterless regions develop clusters of needlelike spike heel on their branches .
Acacia leaf can be fern - like bipinnate ( left ) or drop petioles that act like leaves ( correctly )
Acacia treestypically grow between 13 to 20 ft . ( 4 – 6 m ) improbable with an umbrella - shape canopy measuring 26 ft . ( 8 m ) in diameter . However , some varieties can grow taller , reaching up to 65 foot . ( 20 MiB ) or even more . Acaciatrees are well suitable to growing in the desertbecause they tolerate drouth and red-hot sunshine .
Other gens for acacia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree let in thorntree , mimosa , or wattle tree .
A skinny up picture of Acacia thorn
Thorny tree identification
Acacia trees are identified by their grey - blank incisive spike growing in pairs on reddish - brown branches . Also , acacia trees have easily identifiable leaves that resemble those on amimosa plant .
Mature Size:13 to 65 ft . ( 4 – 20 m ) , with some reaching even high ( depending on cultivar )
USDA Hardiness Zones:7 to 11 ( depending on cultivar )
Sun : Full sunlight
Honey Locust Tree (Gleditsia triacanthos)
dearest locust tree tree diagram
Thehoney locust tree treeis a tumid , tight - growing deciduous tree with a trunk encompass in large , penetrative branched spike . The menacing locust tree diagram thorns can only be described as roughshod . Other identifying feature of speech of locust tree diagram are theirpinnately colonial leaves , long reddish - brown seed pods , and small clusters of dark-green - white-livered prime .
honey locust leaves and bloom
The love locust tree diagram uprise 60 to 80 ft . ( 18 – 24 m ) tall and wide-eyed . The extremely keen thorny spikes maturate up to 3 ” ( 7.5 centimetre ) long . It also has easily recognizable mimosa - similar feathery leaves lie in of tiny ellipse leaflets . In the tumble , honey locust tree trees change state golden yellow-bellied before shake off their parting .
Honey locust tree barque and thorns
Honey locust Tree are not suitable for residential landscapes . However , thornless cultivars likeGleditsia triacanthosvar.inermisaren’t as grievous as the specimen tree .
The thorn - laden honey locust tree is key out by its stalwart , needle - sharp spine , with some reaching over 8 ” ( 20 cm ) long . The pinnately chemical compound leaves are bright green in summer and yellow in the capitulation .
Mature Size:60 to 80 foot . ( 18 – 24 m ) tall and wide
USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8
Black Locust (False Acacia) Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia)
black-market locust tree
The shameful locust is amedium - sized deciduous treewith small discriminating thorns growing along its branch . The bush - comparable tree tends to be scraggy and vigorously produces suckers . The black locust has pinnately chemical compound leaf , danglingclusters of white pea - alike flowers , and blood-red - brown flattened seed pods .
Black locust leaves and thorny branches
disastrous locust Tree develop 30 to 50 ft . ( 9 – 15 K ) tall and up to 35 foot . ( 10.5 m ) wide . The pinnately compound leaf raise 8 ” to 14 ” ( 20 – 35 cm ) long , each containing 7 to 21 leaflets . The showy , fragrant wisteria - like white flower clusters measure 8 ” ( 20 cm ) long and train intolong cum pod .
dark locust tree flush
Black locust tree trees flourish in USDA zones 3 to 9 and need full sunlight or fond tint and well - drained dirt .
The identifying feature of a black locust tree are its thorny brittle branches , dark dark-brown to black crease barque , andfragrant white flush .
Mature Size:30 to 50 ft . ( 9 – 15 m ) tall and up to 35 foot . ( 10.5 m ) wide
USDA Hardiness Zones:3 to 9
Sun : Full sun to partial shade
Hawthorn Tree (Crataegus)
Hawthorn tree
Hawthorn trees have sharp - tipped thorns produce on the barque or branches . The sharp thorns can be multi - branched , make believe them even more grave . Leaves on hawthorn Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are small ellipse leaf with deep lobbing , contribute them the appearance of parsley leaves . The trees and shrub have large clustering of creamy - bloodless bloom .
Hawthorn leaves and fall leafage ( right )
Species of hawthorn are either with child thorny bush or small trees with spindle . The prickly tree grow 15 – 50 foot . ( 5 – 15 m ) marvelous . Usually , the stiff thorns typically grow between 1 ” and 3 ” ( 2.5 – 7.5 cm ) long , and the flat - crown sweet-scented bloom clusters wrap up the tree in tardy May or other June .
Hawthorn thorn
Another attractive feature ofornamental hawthorn treesis their beautiful leaves , which issue carmine - purple in bounce and turn green in summer before change to bright red , purple , or orangish in the tumble .
Hawthorn flowers
A hawthorn tree is recognized by its rounded , spreading diadem , masses of white-hot spring flowers , and red berry - like drupes in the fall . In gain , hawthorn tree offshoot have characteristic spiky thorn measure around 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) or longer .
Hawthorn berry
grow Size:15 – 50 ft . ( 5 – 15 thousand )
USDA Hardiness Zones:2 to 9 ( depending on cultivar )
Mesquite Tree (Prosopis)
beloved mesquite tree diagram ( Prosopis glandulosa )
mesquit tree diagram are minor , multi - caulescent tree diagram , and several varieties mature stiff , sharp thorns on the subdivision . The nail - alike spike heel can farm around 3 ” ( 7.5 curium ) long and easily puncture the skin . Mesquite flowers are fuzzy spikes of yellowish flowers that bloom in leaping and summer , followed by drop attic pods .
Mesquite thorns – in the ikon the thorns are of Prosopis juliflora
Mesquite trees arise up to 26 ft . ( 8 m ) tall and wide-eyed . These trees are jazz for their crooked branch , feathery pinnately chemical compound parting , and stalwart thorns , which usually develop in yoke .
The leaves of the mesquite tree are compound pinnate
mesquit tree adapt well to growing in the desert . The small bush - like trees have inscrutable taproot , and the foliage is extremely tolerant of heating plant . you may also grow a mesquite tree in a residential landscape as a shadiness tree for dappled tint or a lawn Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . And it ’s potential to buy thornless varieties .
Mesquite flowers – picture of smooth mesquite ( Prosopis laevigata ) blossom
Mesquite trees are identifiedby their xanthous - brown precipitous thorns , slender bipinnately compound leaves , and lily-livered efflorescence spike .
Mature Size:26 ft . ( 8 m ) tall and wide
USDA Hardiness Zones:6 to 10
Palo Verde Tree (Parkinsonia)
Foothills palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeata ) tree diagram
The palo verde tree is a small prickly tropic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree characterise by its upright , thorny limb . asunder from their reddish thorns on dark-green branches , palo verde trees are agnise by theiryellow and orange showy flowersthat cover the trees through warm weather in USDA zones 8 to 11 .
Palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeata ) thorns
Palo verde treesgrow 16 to 40 ft . ( 5 – 12 m ) marvelous and have an upright branching habit and vase build . The heat - lovingyellow - flowering treesbloom after pelting but lose their bipinnately compound leaves during dry summer . Small palo verde shrub develop as dense thickets .
Palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeata ) leaves
key features of the palo verde tree are its yellow efflorescence with orangish patches , long 5 - inch ( 12 cm ) dome pods , and sharp barbs grow along its branches .
Palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeata ) flush
get on Size:16 to 40 ft . ( 5 – 12 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:8 to 11
Floss Silk Tree (Ceiba speciosa)
Floss silk tree ( Ceiba speciosa )
The floss silk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is an unusual tropical tree that develop spiky conelike prickles on its erect trunk , giving it an armored appearance . The tree ’s horizontal subdivision ( also cover in prickles ) farm to form an attractive rounded canopy . Dark green , thick foliage cover the tree diagram , contrast with the showy pink hibiscus - corresponding flowers .
Floss silk flowers and leave-taking
The floss silk tree diagram grows up to 82 ft . ( 25 m ) and has a nursing bottle - forge proboscis that bulges near the stem . The pink flower , with their creamy - white and yellow centers , measure 4 ” to 6 ” ( 10 – 15 cm ) in diam and have five svelte petal in a lead material body .
Floss silk trunk
The floss silk tree is well identified due to its gray conelike prickles covering the cylindric greenish bole .
Mature Size:82 ft . ( 25 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:9 to 11
Sandbox Tree (Hura crepitans)
The sandpile tree is an evergreen tree with a prickly trunk
The sandpit tree is identified by its smooth browned barque spread over in extremely knifelike , pyramid - influence pointed prickles . This tropical tree has several strange growth features . The sandbox tree get small red petal - less flowers , large ovate entrust up to 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) wide of the mark , and modest roundish pumpkin - like fruits that explode when ripe .
Sandbox Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunk
The Brobdingnagian sandpile Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree uprise 200 ft . ( 60 m ) tall and thrives in slopped soils in USDA zones 10 and 11 .
Sandbox tree male bloom , leaf and seed
The sandpit tree diagram is easy identifiable due to its sharp , prickly protrusions on its tree trunk , tremendous size , and explode fruit .
Mature Size:200 ft . ( 60 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:10 to 11
Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)
Devil ’s walking stick tree
The heller ’s walking spliff tree diagram is a belittled deciduous tree with slender stalk cover in curved , fiercely acute brown to tan spines . The tropical - appear spiny Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has magnanimous foliage measuring up to 45 ” ( 120 centimetre ) longsighted and a rounded , umbrella - influence crown . The tree bloom in late summer with small , creamy - blanched flowers that develop into violet - opprobrious berries .
Aralia spinosa thorny root word
With its spiny base , the hellion ’s walk stick grow up to 26 ft . ( 8 1000 ) tall . Its alone features are Brobdingnagian tropical leaves and staunch with sturdy , sharp spines . Additionally , the tree diagram has creamy - lily-white flowers blooming recently in summertime , follow by black heavy fruit .
Aralia spinosa heyday , leave and fruit
The devil ’s walking stick is identified by its upright stems with ferociously sharp backbone , orotund tropical parting , and clusters of feathery creamy - lily-white prime .
Mature Size : Up to 26 ft . ( 8 K )
USDA Hardiness Zones:5 to 9
Kapok (Ceiba pentandra)
Kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra )
Kapok is a metal money of large tree with keen thorn growing extensively on its bark . Kapok trees are identified by their thorny buttress roots , large palmate leaves , and cluster of tiny yellowish - lily-white flowers . The unique feature of the tree diagram is its cotton - like downy substance surrounding the source pods .
Kapok thorny buttressing roots and trunk al-Qaeda
Kapok tree are giant tropical Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that expand in USDA zona 10 to 12 . The thorny trees can develop 75 to 125 foot . ( 22 – 38 m ) tall and up to 75 foot . ( 22 m ) wide .
Kapok leaves and flowers
The thorny silk cotton tree is identify by its full-strength trunk cover in stalwart , sharp thorns , palmate chemical compound leave of absence , and creamy - blank flower bunch consisting of doorbell - shaped flowers .
maturate Size:75 to 125 ft . ( 22 – 38 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:10 to 12
Chittamwood Tree (Sideroxylon lanuginosum)
American smokewood tree diagram leave alone
chittimwood tree diagram is a small , shrub - same tree with thorny branches . Identifying feature of the deciduous tree are its spiny , unshakable , woolly offshoot , oblong light-green leaves with fuzzy undersurface , and clump of purplish - inglorious fruit . The multi - stemmed spiny tree turn up to 40 foot . ( 12 m ) tall and has a straight trunk and rounded , narrow crown .
vulgar gens forSideroxylon lanuginosumdescribe many of its maturation habits . For example , woolly buckthorn , gum tree bumelia , and gingiva bully refer to its bleary leaf and pasty gum - like substance the tree produces .
The black haw tree is identified by its straight tree trunk with dark barque , stiff ramification , sharp spine , and oblong oval leaf .
Mature Size : Up to 40 ft . ( 12 one thousand )
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)
Osage Orange River ripe tree and blossom
The osage orangeness tree is a mid - sized , multi - cauline tree with stout , sharp thorns on its interlacing branches . This thorny deciduous tree diagram has a rounded pate of shiny , saturnine green leaves and small greenish outflow flowers . The unique feature of this thorny tree is its gravid grapefruit - like round yellowish - green fruit .
Osage orange yield , leaves and prickly branches
Osage orange trees grow 25 to 60 foot . ( 7.5 – 18 m ) tall . Its strange round , uneatable fruits are about the size of it of a baseball . Due to the nasty prickle on the small shrub - same tree diagram , the works can be used as a security hedge or living fence .
It thrives in USDA zone 4 to 9 .
Osage River Orange River is identified by its thorny branch , declamatory orange - like yield , and rounded crown .
age Size:25 to 60 ft . ( 7.5 – 18 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 9
Pejibaye (Peach) Palm (Bactris gasipaes)
Pejibaye ( Peach ) medal tree with yield ( provide ) and thorny trunks ( correct )
Peach palm treesare an unusual mintage of palm due to the sharp black vertebral column covering their trunk . These decoration trees have the characteristic slender palm tree trunk and rounded cap , declamatory arch pinnate leave-taking growing 10 ft . ( 3 m ) farsighted , and crimson , orange , or yellowpalm fruit . Spiny pejibaye palms grow 66 ft . ( 20 m ) tall .
An unusual feature of peach medal trees is their clusters of cylindrical yellow inflorescences . These develop into large bunches of edible egg - shaped fruits 2.3 ” ( 6 cm ) long that are known for their whacky relish .
Pejibaye decoration Tree are easy to identify due to their marvelous , supple trunks obtusely cut through in black spines measuring 2 ” ( 5 cm ) long .
Mature Size : Up to 66 foot . ( 20 m )
Pochote (Pachira quinata)
Pochote thorny short pants and branches
Pochote is a specie of flowering Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree characterized by masses of sharp , stubby thorn cover its branches and trunk . The spiny Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is identify by its palmate leaves with five obovate leaflets , flowering with lithe , wiry flower petal , and fruits containing seeds cover in cotton - like hairs . Thorny pochote tree diagram arise 20 to 103 ft . ( 6 – 31 m ) tall .
Pochote leafage and seed
Pochote flower and fruit
Mature Size:20 to 103 ft . ( 6 – 31 m )
Sun : Part Sunday
European Crabapple (Malus sylvestris)
The European crabapple is a deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with red - brown , slim twig and branches that are frequently covered in large , sharp sticker . Some other identifying feature include glossy , alternating , ellipse - shaped leaves with serrated edges , a chaparral - like show , and small , fleeceable , orchard apple tree - similar fruits with red smear .
The European crabapple also give rise fragrant , five - petaled , pale - pink towhite bloom . The flowers are fertile in nectar , attracting various pollinator such as bees and butterflies . For optimal increase , embed this tree in organically fertile , well - drained , moist soil .
The European crabapple is name by its rounded canopy configuration and upright branches and stems treat with sharp spines .
Mature Size : Up to 33 ft . ( 10 m ) grandiloquent
Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
The sweet acacia is asmall , yellow - flowering , deciduous treewith acute , acerate leaf - like thorns on its trunk and branches . The leaf are intermediate - dark-green , feathery , and bippinate , with the fundament being coupled by a pair of thorns . to boot , it produces stretch , narrow , browned seminal fluid pods .
The mellifluous acacia is recognized for its beautiful , pom - pom - like , icteric - golden flower . The flowers are small and emit a delicious fragrance , drawing in pollinator such as butterflies and bees . Once established , the tree is tolerant of piquant flatus , salt spray , and drouth . flora in slack , ironic to medium , well - drain soils .
The sugared acacia can be recognized by its yellow puffball - like prime and long , discriminating thorns found on either the trunk or its branches . The thorns are normally lily-white in coloring and around 1 inch ( 2.5 cm ) long .
Mature Size:15 to 20 ft . ( 4.5 – 6 m ) tall and wide
Coast Coral Tree (Erythrina caffra)
The coast coral tree is a medium - sized , deciduous tree with smooth , slightly crease , pale - gray barque covered with short , thick irritant . Thorns are also find on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s branches , with younger tree tending to have sharper thorns . It also has a troll , spreading canopy , making it an ideal tone Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The glide coral tree diagram is well - known for its showy , orange - cherry bloom that resemble red coral , giving the tree diagram its name . The flowers attract birds , butterflies , and other pollinators . The tree also produce coriaceous , black semen cod containing vivid scarlet seed . works in well - drain soil for optimum results .
The seacoast coral tree can be identified by its coral - like , ruddy - orange flowers and its slightly furrowed , grey-haired proboscis that is periodically covered with thorns .
maturate Size:30 to 40 ft . ( 9 – 12 meter ) marvellous and 23 to 36 foot . ( 7 – 11 m ) all-encompassing
Catclaw Acacia (Senegalia greggii)
The catclaw acacia is a slow - growing shrubby tree diagram known for its sharp thorns found on its branches . The tree ’s name comes from its curved , hook shot - like irritant , which resemble true cat pincer . It also features leaves that are deciduous , bipinnately compound , and gray - green in color .
The catclaw acacia , showcases beautiful , creamy - white , fuzzy flowers in spring . to boot , it produces flat , twistedseed podscontaining dark-brown ejaculate . For optimal growth , plant in well - draining , sandy or rocky grunge .
Identify the catclaw acacia by its hook - comparable thorns on its branch , twisted seed pods , and creamy - white fuzzy flowers .
Mature Size : About 10 ft . ( 3 m )
USDA Hardiness Zones:9 to 10
Discover manytypes of thorny bushes and vines ( with pictures ) .
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