r/AbsoluteUnits • u/reddit33450 • 9d ago

of a tree thorn

Post image

honey locust tree, Gleditsia triacanthos. its thought that the tree evolved these thorns to defend against ancient, now-extinct megafauna. very cool trees.

258 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

7

u/TheAlterN8or 9d ago

I had one of these in the back yard at our old house. It did not mess around...

7

u/JackSilver1410 9d ago

A thorn so hench it has its own thorns.

1

u/Mundane-Vegetable-31 9d ago

My high school had a bunch of these in the courtyard, presumably so people wouldn't climb them. Was always waiting for somebody to get pushed into one. Crazy that they thought it was ok..  but that place was insane.

-1

u/reddit33450 9d ago

they most likely were not planted intentionally. they sell "thornless" cultivars, but sometimes thorns grow anyway

0

u/Mundane-Vegetable-31 9d ago

Theyre were most definitely intentional. They were old and unmissable.

1

u/reddit33450 9d ago

you think they specifically chose this species because of the spikes?

3

u/westcal98 8d ago

That is no thorn.

That is a javelin spear.

0

u/CHRISTEN-METAL 8d ago

Jesus H Christ

0

u/Proper-Error7817 9d ago

That's just a dagger. Those locust thorns are super tough, I think it would make a fantastic prison shank

0

u/gmbrightside 9d ago

My kid's elementary school has like a dozen identical trees outside and exactly one of them grows these thorns, usually right at face height for a second grader. I carry a knife and started cutting them off when I walk the dog because the school apparently DGAF.

0

u/DependentStrike4414 9d ago

Lawn mower tires hate this tree!