Crataegus ??

[Darren]

This came to us in 2004 from friends when we set up our garden here. If it ever had a label it is long gone.

I'm sure it is a Crataegus, but what species?

It has formed a nice small tree. The flowers (not shown) are nothing special, though they are typical for the genus they tend to hide under the foliage and have a slightly unpleasant scent, unlike our native species.

The thorns are especially notable, being up to 8cm long and lethally sharp. Prunings are great for deterring cats 

[Giles]

The easiest option:
C. x persimilis (C.prunifolia)
It has very shiny leaves and big thorns.

[Darren]

Google images of that name look about right to me 

Many thanks Giles!

This forum is amazing!

[angie]

Hope you never fall in that shrub Darren 

Angie 

[Darren]

Me too 

[SusanS]

Hope you never fall in that shrub Darren 

Angie 

it is the one plant in the garden where all the safety advice is followed, goggles, gloves, thick coat and  hat are all worn during pruning.  Normally we only carryout the pruning when both of us are in the garden just in case!

Susan

[Paddy Tobin]

I have C. prunifolia in the garden and can attest to the danger of the thorns. Another in the garden which is more lethal, because of its position and equally long thorns, is C. crus-galli.

Paddy

[Darren]

Thankfully it is positioned so that we never walk directly past it thus reducing the risk of accidental injury!

[Paddy Tobin]

Crataegus prunifolia in the garden yesterday.
Paddy

[mark smyth]

Can I beg some prunings? I have something in mind LOL

[Paddy Tobin]

Would some haws/berries do, Mark? I grew mine from a haw.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Can I beg some prunings? I have something in mind LOL

Moggies?

[ronm]

Self flagellation ??

[mark smyth]

Paddy it would not grow fast enough for my job, thanks. Could it make a nice plant for a large pot?

[Palustris]

There is a Craetagus called C. crus-galli which has very very long thorns like that.