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Winter Tree Identification

fatamorgana2121

11 years ago

I don't have other images to share so I'll apologize up front. I've seen this tree along 2 hiking trail locations in the area and was wondering if anyone had any possible suggestions as to what it is. Both the locations were full sun. And because I spotted these in winter and early spring, I did not see the leaves. Both trees were young, with a single leader at maybe at 15' or less high - young trees and not at max height.

I don't think it is Osage Orange. There are some of those scattered in the area and the thorns and twigs don't match. Any other possibilities? Since I have not seen the tree outside of these "disturbed ground" trail locations, I'm guessing these may not be native or in their native range.

Other location details: Western NY State, open meadow locations in/around Northeastern hardwood forest. Many thanks!

FataMorgana

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Comments (9)

RugbyHukr
11 years ago
Good chance it is Robinia pseudoacacia.
theplantwizard
11 years ago
I've never seen thorns so random on a Robinia.
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User
11 years ago
Zanthoxylum americanum? I know they're typically warty but perhaps yours
are secondary sprouts?

Here is a link that might be useful: Zanthoxylum americanum
Dzitmoidonc
11 years ago
A small Robinia would be my guess. Tree is less than 2 years old. And no borers in it yet? Around here they are bug ridden by the time they grow the first side branches.
fatamorgana2121
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for your time and suggestions. Black locust are reasonably common trees here. I love their fragrant springtime blooms and the number of locust trees around becomes really obvious at those times. I don't think I've ever seen the young trees here look like this but perhaps I've just missed seeing them at this stage.

Borers? We have enough with the emerald ash borer here. We don't need other ones. As far as I know, the locust borer isn't a problem here but I could be wrong.

Prickly ash would be an interesting one since I've never come across that one before that I know of. I'll have to see if I can find the tree again after May so I can see/photograph the leaves. Thanks!

FataMorgana
seedmoney
11 years ago
Any chance it could be Devil's Walkingstick, Aralia spinosa?

Here is a link that might be useful: Aralia spinosa bark
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
I saw many Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings over the years where I grew up in zone 6. The OP reminds me a lot of them. They are much thornier when young. Check out these links...

Here is a link that might be useful: Robinia tree when young
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
You can compare the stems on your specimen...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:373862}}
fatamorgana2121
Original Author
11 years ago
Excellent links. Thank you so much for the follow-up!

FataMorgana

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