thorn tree
Prickly branched growth
A thorn tree is any tree or large shrub bearing thorns or spines.
The term appears most often in biblical and African contexts—the acacia trees of the African savanna are commonly called thorn trees: Giraffes browse on the thorn trees despite the sharp spines.
In biblical usage, thorn trees figure in parables and the crown of thorns.
Thorny warm-climate shrub
- baobabBulbous African tree species
- mesquiteThorny desert legume
- gum arabicNatural tree-sap emulsifier
- wattleHanging throat skin
mimosa · savanna · scrubland · arid · drought-resistant · legume · pods · bark
Boundary structure between properties
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
- palisadeFence of pointed stakes
- stockadeFence of sharpened stakes
kraal · boundary · perimeter · impenetrable · dense · thicket · windbreak · livestock
Of sacred texts
- burning bushDeciduous shrub, vivid fall color
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- ancientVery old indeed
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
endurance · adversity · protection · guardian · spiritual · mythic · folklore · resilience
Able to recover quickly
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- ruggedTough and uneven
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- enduringPersisting through time
sturdy · adapted · survivor · deep-rooted · tough · persistent · heat-resistant · parched
acacia
Thorny warm-climate shrub
- baobabBulbous African tree species
- mesquiteThorny desert legume
- gum arabicNatural tree-sap emulsifier
wattle · mimosa · savanna · scrubland · arid · drought-resistant · legume · pods · bark · canopy
fence
Boundary structure between properties
stockade · kraal · boundary · perimeter · impenetrable · dense · thicket · windbreak · livestock · cattle
biblical
Of sacred texts
- burning bushDeciduous shrub, vivid fall color
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- ancientVery old indeed
wisdom · endurance · adversity · protection · guardian · spiritual · mythic · folklore · resilience · suffering
resilient
Able to recover quickly
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- ruggedTough and uneven
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
enduring · sturdy · adapted · survivor · deep-rooted · tough · persistent · heat-resistant · parched · unforgiving
giraffe
Tallest land animal
- antelopeSwift horned grazer
- weaver birdNest-constructing finch relative
- nestingMaking a dwelling
browsing · shade · watering hole · safari · African · ecosystem · habitat · birds · insects · symbiosis
- African Safarielephant, elephants, lions, zebras, zebra
- African savannaacacia, baobab, cheetah, giraffe, grass
- savannasavanna, grassland, acacia, African savannah, grasslands
- savanna plantsbuffalo grass, scattered trees, drought-tolerant plants
- Backveldveld, kopje, kraal, dorp, drift
- Kalahari floraacacia, baobab, marula, leadwood, euphorbia
thorn treebeech
Smooth-barked deciduous hardwood
birch · willow · eucalyptus · maple · sycamore
thorn treeweeping willow
Tree with pendulous branches
shade tree · willow · magnolia · cherry tree · Japanese maple