The twigs of prickly ash have a strong smell, mimicking that of lemon peel. The small leaf buds are red and woolly, and greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring before their dark green leaves emerge.

Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum) is an evergreen tree that grows around the world. Its name comes from the half-inch (1.2-cm) spines that cover its bark. Incredibly versatile, this species has been used ...

Prickly holly leaves are a traditional Christmas decoration, from wreaths adorning homes, to greeting card scenes. Yet, look closer at a holly tree and while some leaves are prickly, others are not.

They're famously sharp. But not all holly leaves are prickly, even on the same tree. And scientists now think they know how the plants are able to make sharper leaves, seemingly at will.

In this edition of ID That Tree, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee showcases the unique features of prickly ash. The northeast member of the Citrus family (not the Ash family!) is a shrub with ...