What is my DANGEROUS tree named?

Telfair

This tree is a WEAPON!
These spikes have gone through my shoes before & I'm pretty could pop a tire.

Been trying for 3 days to post attachments pictures of this & always get a fail, Some mod or the Admin should look into this.

sdsester

My guess is you have a honey locust tree although I don't think they were planted so extensively on the West Coast as out this way and East. You got lucky! They do have nasty thorns so buy a pair of thick gloves! They were a popular urban tree that got over planted in many areas so arborists in some regions encourage replacing them with other species to encourage diversity and health of urban forests.

To their advantage, if reasonably well maintained, they are nice looking trees and attract and sustain many kinds of wildlife. The only potentially fatal thing that happens to them beyond chain saws is cancors. Rabbits chewing at young bark can make the trees vulnerable. You might check with your city or county arborist, a tree service, or your university ag extension office to see how best to deal with them. Not much to do but work around the thorns though.

http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_gltr.pdf

Let's see what others think though. Given your locale, it could be something else.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

hardwareman

yes that is a Locust, Ive got one on my property and I steer clear of it. Trimmed it up so the low hanging branches wouldn't take my eye out when I mow.

__________________
................."I want a house that has gotten over all its troubles. I dont' want to spend the rest of life bringing up a young and inexperienced house"...........

Telfair

Being we just got a puppy I'm thinking of just letting it stay the rest of the summer for shade & then I'll start hacking away at it with a chain saw throughout the fall till its all gone, I don't want my dog getting hurt on these things that randomly fall off the tree throughout the year.

& I'm gonna start another thread asking what a great shade tree that don't shed too much ( In So Cal ) & maybe stays green most of the year That is not dangerous like this one.

sdsester

I will be interested to see the responses you get to shade tree suggestions. Obviously the sky is near the limit for choice save for needing something that can survive the smog until it gets established and of course the dry winds. Lots of choices though.

When practicing landscape design and working as head designer for an upscale nursery specializing in hanging baskets, container gardens and intimate garden spaces the Sunset Western Garden Book was near biblical as a reference. You should put a copy on your wish list as it will help with all kinds of things from plant selection through maintenance. Will set you back $20 or so and is worth every penny and more. There is also a newer landscape design oriented companion volume with additional plant selection criteria I have not seen.

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Wester...9617415&sr=8-1

I will throw my hat in the ring for a silk tree as a lovely deciduous shade tree. The lacy leaves fold up at night and open each day to provide great shade. The leaflets fall to the ground in the fall and are so small you do not have to worry about raking them up.

As mentioned your options for evergreen shade trees are near unlimited too.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

ratherbefishin'

Telfair, honey locust is good for furniture and wood turning projects. Put a "Free, you cut and haul" ad on craigslist and you might find someone willing to remove it for you.

Telfair

I dont think I'd trust someone else to do it, being its on top of both my shed & carport.

Telfair

This tree will be completely removed Friday!
I really hate removing such a wonderfully grown tree, but its spikes are just too dangerous to deal with any longer!

& now am looking into a replacement tree into a different part of the backyard.

Fix'n it

what is it costing ?

__________________
DIY'er, out of necessity. if i did this for a living, i would make about $3.50 an hour
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

i didn't make this world. i just live in it.
be careful of whom you make fun of. one day, that could be you...

ddawg16

What part of LA? I might know a guy that could give you some good advice.

A bit late on the tree removal reference....but make sure they grind the post.....

You might consider Avocado....they grow fairly quick....right now I'm averaging 200+ avocado's a year out of my tree....

__________________
Common Sense is like Deodorant. Those that need it the most don't use it.
My
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
...
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
and
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Telfair

$600.00 & he says he will remove the stump, tree will be completely GONE!

I live in Sun Valley ( Part of the San Fernando valley )
I do love avocados, yet the wife don't & I cant see eating all that myself & not to mention Avocados are bad for dogs, & so I won't go with anything that will harm our boy.

& To be honest I don't have any interest in any sort of fruit or nut tree, I've known to many people that can't get rid of the harvest fast enough & have to deal with rotting fruit & etc etc...

I'm considering a Carrotwood tree being I have one in the front yard & its very clean & I've never had a single complaint about it.

Oh & here's another reminder to why I'm chopping down this tree.

Attached Thumbnails

 

creeper

Geez ..that thing looks like some sort of evil medieval weapon

Telfair

Aye, I bet if hit right it would enter a human skull.

I learned the painful way that they do go through shoes & deep into your foot!

& to be honest I bet they can pop a car tire.

Telfair

The tree is no longer a problem.
I felt a sorrow in my heart considering how grand this tree was & was part of why I bought the house, yet now I'm much better off & in time will enjoy walking around barefoot with out fear.
To be honest I've had to pull thorns out of my foot from the outside of my shoes!
Ever the tree trimmer guy said in 25 years of doing this work he has never seen one of these before.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Fix'n it

i can see why you feel that way. while the view isn't "bad", it looked better with the tree there.
$600 isn't bad, for a tree in that spot.

__________________
DIY'er, out of necessity. if i did this for a living, i would make about $3.50 an hour
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

i didn't make this world. i just live in it.
be careful of whom you make fun of. one day, that could be you...