Devil’s Walking Stick

Aralia spinosa - devil’s walking stick

There are several of these unusual shrubs/trees in the nearby woods. They get their common name from the sharp prickles on the plants stems and branches. They have one tall trunk with an umbrella-shaped canopy of large leaves at the top.

We keep them out of our yard because they are so invasive and painful if you grap hold if one. We don’t bother them in the woods, because their berries are a source of food for small animals and birds.