I'm sure you've heard the old adage, 'Old habits die hard'. This is very true. I grow several varieties of thornless blackberries. I've handled them many times without getting one prick. And yet, due to deeply ingrained images of bloody hands while picking wild blackberries as a child, I still brace myself for that 'stick' every time I handle my new harmless ones.
A few of the old thorny blackberries can still be found on my property. If I don't get all the roots when I dig them up, they surely will return. That's OK. I've found a use for these blood bringing brambles.
I have a lovely, long row of arborvitae, I planted last year. All are strong and healthy, but still young and tender. At about three feet high, things a mature tree would tolerate, could surely kill these saplings, urine included.
I have irresponsible neighbors who let their dogs roam at large. These dogs have taken a liking to my trees. Many of the trees are suffering from urine scald. Every day, I would find more lower limbs that were brown and dying.
No more. Placing thorny blackberry limbs at the base of the trees has put a halt to Fido's infuriating encroachments. Though no real harm done, the dogs now have an ingrained image; one that says ' Oh no, not there! Guess I'd better leave my calling card somewhere else'.
No picture this time. You wouldn't have wanted to see a pair of briar scratched and bloody hands, now would you? I didn't think so. A dead, thorny blackberry limb? Nah. A dog with hind leg high in the air, whistling 'Dixie'? Lets not even go there.
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