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Berberis julianae - OUCH!
I've been trying to get more light into the narrow strip of land at the side of our house and this has involved some serious pruning of very well-established and overgrown shrubs / trees. Since our arrival we've been content to leave them well alone as they give us privacy from next door whose land is a bit higher than ours, plus the sparrows like to roost in there in the winter. However I'm certainly paying the price for this neglect now.
One of the shrubs is Berberis julianae which has now reached upto the gable end of the house, ie. about 20 feet
The thorns on this thing are massive (about 1.5 inches) and are set to kill. I thought I had some thorn-proof gloves. No way 
But pain aside, my latest investments are certainly paying dividends with this job. My 14' tripod ladder has been incredible, giving me the stability high up on uneven ground to wield a heavy long-reach trimmer. And my new Bosch shredder / chipper has been invaluable in dealing with the spoil.
Only part way through the job yet but much more light is already getting through. What I would say though is think very carefully about planting this Berberis. Ok it could serve it's purpose as an intruder deterrent if planted as a hedge but as an occasional shrub there are much better alternatives out there.
One of the shrubs is Berberis julianae which has now reached upto the gable end of the house, ie. about 20 feet
The thorns on this thing are massive (about 1.5 inches) and are set to kill. I thought I had some thorn-proof gloves. No way But pain aside, my latest investments are certainly paying dividends with this job. My 14' tripod ladder has been incredible, giving me the stability high up on uneven ground to wield a heavy long-reach trimmer. And my new Bosch shredder / chipper has been invaluable in dealing with the spoil.Only part way through the job yet but much more light is already getting through. What I would say though is think very carefully about planting this Berberis. Ok it could serve it's purpose as an intruder deterrent if planted as a hedge but as an occasional shrub there are much better alternatives out there.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border.
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
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@Lyn I have heard that the police recommend Berberis as a deterrant. I had one years ago to stop people taking a short cut across the garden. I also have some Ghost Brambles in part of the front garden that was being run over by cars. In the winter the white stems do stand out in the dark. We have just one street light nearby that lights them up beautifully.