MACLURA POMIFERA, aka Osage-orange, also called Hedge-apple and "bois
d'arc".

This shrub was the original 'barbed wire fence'. In old vernacular, a good
Osage Orange hedgerow was 'horse-high, bull-strong, and hog-tight'. Quite
literally a properly grown Osage barrier could stop fenced in livestock.

Yes, the females do produce those bizarre softball sized fruits, however
they're prized by various wildlife and humans have uses for them as well.


--
David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
email:
http://beyondgardening.com/Albums

"Newt" wrote in message
...

Doug Kanter Wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...-
The road is scheduled to be widened in front of a 20 acre parcel I'm
developing. I'd like to plant a natural thorny barrier that would be
nicer looking than a fence and could stop a car. Any ideas for shrubs
or small fast-growing trees that would make a good security hedgerow
in Central Florida? Preferably something without a lot of messy fruit,
too.
-

I don't know about stopping a car, but barberry will put most people or
animals in a world of hurt, or maybe the emergency room. You'll need
heavy duty clothing and leather gloves to trim them once or twice a
year.



Hi Skip,

I'm thinking a shrub rose would work and the suckering canes might
possibly hold back a car if it wasn't going to fast. Look for one that
reblooms for a long season of interest and that is tall or medium tall.
The old fashioned ones are more carefree and disease and pest
resistant. I'm thinking that your site is full sun. You will need to
know your plant hardiness zone, which I suspect is 9. Here's a zip
code zone finder.
http://www.garden.org/zipzone/

Here's some ideas.
Carefree Delight
http://tinyurl.com/6n6ks

Also think about China roses. They rebloom (remondant) and are
carefree. Some that should fit your needs are Old Blush, Archduke
Charles and Cramoisi Superieur.
http://www.roseinfo.com/rose_guide.html

Newt


--
Newt