That's an interesting suggestion. Horse nettle does grow around here, but I went outside just now to check for thorns on the back of the leaves and the stem, and I didn't find any. However, I did find that my dog had dug up my elderberry bush! I hope it survives the replanting.

Suzi: I'm always amazed by what just happens to grown in the yard and yes, I consider them very special gifts (except for poison ivy, oriental bittersweet, etc. ). I have Cornus kousa seedlings even though there are no mature dogwoods nearby, and flowering crabapples courtesy of a tree up the road. While clearing the area for the spruce seedling, I found a pink ladyslipper orchid under the grape vines and briars and poison ivy. The ladyslipper will stay near the spruce. Since this is the conifer forum, I also dote on the white pine and pitch pine seedlings, as well as the Eastern red cedars. Needless to say, the lawn area has shrunk to a tiny percentage of its original area. Claire

Thanks everyone! I've been reading about Rhamnus purshiana this morning and I agree that is what I have. It will stay where it is since it looks good among the conifers and the fact that it is considered a 'wildlife' plant is an extra bonus. Several of my shrubs exist in order to feed and attract birds, butterflies, etc. so this plant will fit in perfectly! Thanks again for identifying my mystery plant!

Thank you for all of the advice. The tree was here when I moved in last fall, so had no choice in type or placement :) Regardless of its desirability, or lack thereof, it is literally the only shade tree I have in the backyard, so it is not coming down! Also, the landlord is tearing down the house after he gets it paid off in a couple of years, so it's not going to get the chance to grow into a big problem. My friend is coming this fall to prune it back, so he will make sure my power lines are safe :)