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Help in ID of unusual thorny tree

Deborahbennett2Deborahbennett2 Posts: 3
in Plants
 Does anyone know what this is?  Extraordinary bright saffron yellow inside the bark, small dark green leaves and tiny orange flowers (1cm) a little like a narcissus. There’s a massive old trunk with loads of dead wood and I thought it was dead but I found this straggly bit alive!  Its an Idle if Wight Garden 1 mile from the coast if that’s a help! 

Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Berberis sp or named cultivar.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    It could be a form of berberis although I don't recognise the leaves. There are loads of different types. The reason I suspect berberis is because I cut back a giant old one a couple of years ago and the inside was bright yellow. It's also very spikey. Are those spikes on the branch on the left.
  • Deborahbennett2Deborahbennett2 Posts: 3
    Yes it’s thorny.  Thanks very much for the ID! It’s clearly old as The trunk is about 6 inches wide and 10 ft long. If I cut it right back ensuring I left some areas with leaves and flowers is it likely to survive? 
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Yes it should survive.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I had a hellova job killing mine. So I'd say yes it will survive.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd suggest B. linearifolia Orange King.
    Devon.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Made a stupid mistake once of wearing a pure white T-shirt whilst pruning a large Berberis julianae ; be warned , the splatter from the dye inside never ever comes out!!

    B.linearifolia 'Orange King' looks about right ; only looking at one of those for sale at a nursery near Nottingham on Sunday .
  • Deborahbennett2Deborahbennett2 Posts: 3
    Thanks everyone. Very helpful 
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