What kind of tree is this?

[RSKY]

I am helping my son in law clear out a thicket around a pond. This tree has given us a lot of trouble. There are many trunks growing out of the 6 to 10 foot diameter base. First picture. Limbs grow out and send other limbs straight up or down to the ground where they root. And another tree starts interconnecting to the first. Second picture. Limbs, both large and small, have thorns on them. Third picture. First trunk I cut Sunday afternoon left a two inch gash on top of my head. Still haven’t figured out how it got me. Anyway, does anybody know what this evil monster is.

 

[RSKY]

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I am helping my son in law clear out a thicket around a pond. This tree has given us a lot of trouble. There are many trunks growing out of the [emoji6] to [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] foot diameter base. First picture. Limbs grow out and send other limbs straight up or down to the ground where they root. And another tree starts interconnecting to the first. Second picture. Limbs, both large and small, have thorns on them. Third picture. First trunk I cut Sunday afternoon left a two inch gash on top of my head. Still haven’t figured out how it got me. Anyway, does anybody know what this evil monster is.

Wouldn’t let me post multiple photos from phone. Second and third will be in comments.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Wouldn’t let me post multiple photos from phone. Second and third will be in comments.

Could it be an Osage Orange/Hedge Apple tree?

 

[ning]

Could it be an Osage Orange/Hedge Apple tree?

that was my initial impression from the bark & crazy growth and yellow stump too

 

[1 Old Man]

Yep. That's a bois d' arc tree (locally pronounced "bowdark").
Can be killer on your chain saw. Slow to rot. A lot of old houses
used bois d' arc stumps as piers. Osage Orange, Horse Apple etc
Goes by different names depending on what area you're from.

 

[ponytug]

Pretty amazing tree. Did you know that it is reputed to make a great firewood as well as a green fence post?
Maclura pomifera - Wikipedia

All the best, Peter

 

[NoTrespassing]

I've dug up buried "hedge" posts that I know were at least 80 years old that were still solid.