They do not have thorns but I have pulled out a couple hundred Shumac plants over the past couple of years. They do not have a tap-root but they do have roots that spread over a wide area and if I don't get it all, a bunch of new plants show their heads. I use a 5/8 inch poly rope with a small hook on the end to wrap the plant base and pull it out with my tractor. I have thought about getting a grapple hook and trying to hook them and pull them out that way. May work on Black berry bushes as well.
Farwell