Rocky or sandy soils along streams, woodlands, pastures, fencerows. Disturbed forests, old fields, shrubby clearings, and fencerows. Infrequent but widespread throughout
Its thickets provide good cover for songbirds and small mammals year-round. This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for several species of butterflies. The fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, and small mammals. Deer also eat the twigs and leaves
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
As a tree, it typically grows to 10-20' tall with a broad, spreading crown. As a shrub, it suckers freely and can form large colonies. Remove suckers to prevent unwanted spread or to train into a small tree. It can form thickets with its thorn-like side branches so keep it will have to be maintained unless that is the desired result.
Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
My Native Garden
Put together a printable/downloadable list of plants that you have in your garden.