From what you describe, I'm thinking that it's probably a Quince bush. (Have you tasted the fruit? It should be extremely bitter!) I have one at the edge of my yard that was so out of hand when we moved here, that I cut it way back (One branch at a time!) ...& it came back ...with a vengeance!

That darned thing will get 20 feet tall in one year, & as you say, "It sends off shoots that go underground and they spring up all around the diameter of the shrub- it covers the ground under the shrub. Even these offshoots have small thorns. It's proved to be a very hearty shrub- sort of the shrub that won't die." Last year my son took a chain saw to it & cut it all the way to the ground... & it's coming back again! I don't like using chemical herbicides, so I plan to just keep cutting it down & hope that eventually I'll weaken it to the point where it'll give up!

Several years ago we had a Quince Hedge that was real nice, but we had to keep it shaped & trimmed, and those offshoots that come up from the root system had to be chopped out constantly.

I'm sure that since those offshoots can be controlled by chopping them out, you might also be able to eliminate the bush itself, by chopping/digging into the root system. The only thing wrong with that, is that some plants will send up new growth from each piece of root that's left behind! If you're in an area where you're allowed open burning, maybe a bonfire in that spot, after you cut the roots out, would do the trick.

I'm sorry that I don't have a better answer to your question, but I can certainly relate to your frustration over this nemisis shrub! As I said, I don't like using herbicides, but sometimes there is just no other answer! I suggest that you call your County extension office & ask them what they recommend. They usually have Master Gardeners there, who are qualified to advise people with this type of problem.

Good luck! (I know I'm not the only one here who would appreciate hearing back from you when/if you find a remedy for getting rid of that horrible bush!)

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Hi,

Thank you so much Patty and Terry for the great advice on my shrub problem.

I hadn't heard of a Quince bush before, but as Terry said the thorns on this thing are really long and needle sharp- I've got the wounds to prove it!

As to the fruit being made into marmalade- I don't think so at least not with our bush, my father always told me the fruit of this bush is poisonious.

We do live in town and have regulations about burning- gosh, if we didn't I would try to get a flame thrower after it... And I doubt then it would get it all...

Thanks again for all the helpful advice and I'll keep you posted if ever we are able to get rid of it!

All the best.

Sandy

That's it! That's the thing that has tried to take over our side yard!

As I write our town trash removal service has just carted off two large truckloads of the stuff I trimed from it the other day- I still have a tree or shrub the size of Cleveland out there still.

I can't imagine anyone wanting it in their yard. It's so dangerous if you have children or pets.

Thank you for word on the fruit being poisonious.

Now at least I know what it is!

Thank you again!

Sandy

Terry, I think you're right that it's sometimes considered edible. It's not considered "desirable," though, because of the bitterness. Some things have to be eaten in quantities to be toxic. Did you know that potato skins are toxic? They cause gastric distress and diarrhea if eaten in quantity.

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Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

Birds love the fruit of the Quince.

I have no idea how to get rid of bamboo but I did watch a program by UGA on containing it if for some reason you wanted it. It was a massive task involving trenching aprox 5-6 feet deep and placing overlapping layers of corrugated roofing material all around the "island" of bamboo. I think moving to a new home might be easier than that.

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Bev