[scabs]

With my plot still under development, I have been thinking about the back end, which backs onto the canal. In Manchester, this means a prime point of entry for idiots and vandals. There is a fence and barbed wire, but I am told by fellow plotholders that this hasn't stopped them in the past.

So... I started thinking about natural barriers that would also be useful and I hit upon Blackthorn. Effectively, the 'hedge' would be between the back fence and my chicken run, with enough room for me to get right around, and pretty much 15ft from the nearest growing bed.

Has anyone any experience here, is it invasive, do the roots disrupt growth etc etc...

[Faz]

I understand that Blackthorn is a highly effective prickly barrier but that it can spread through suckers. I imagine that strimming them off every now and again would keep them under control, especially as it is going to be some way from your actual plot.

One other benefit apart from its anti idiot properties is that the birds love it!

[Rangerkris]

A mix of Hawthorn and Blackthorn would be the best mix you could do if you wanted to add something else as well NO ONE would want to go through it and you could lay it in a few years time.

[sunshineband]

We have blackthorn alonside our copse to deter would be intruders from amongst the local undesirables --- works a treat. Go for it! Looks great when it flowers and we get loads of sloes too. Added bonus 

[celjaci]

I've found that blackthorn is much slower to establish than hawthorn so depends how soon you want it.
Blackthorn does have the advantage of prosucing sloes - eventually.
I've also used dog rose and brambles for a deterrent - nobody gets through them ! But you do have to train them back into the hedge.

[woodburner]

If you're in a hurry, brambles are fast but have the same downside as leylandii, they don't know when to stop.

[Brambles]

NO...  NO... NO... Not Brambles....  The bane of my life   I cannot get rid of the things, they root everywhere...  Blackthorn and Hawthorn are the best option in my opinion

[scabs]

I'm going to go for Blackthorn and Hawthorn as suggested... Hawthorn blossom wine and sloes... superb! 

[GD]

We have a hedge of blackthorn/hawthorn, but it is quite slow growing as others have said, we have some dog rose mixed in too, which is also suitably spikey.

Cheers
GD

[Celtic Eagle]

I would go with a blackthon / hawthorn planting about 50/50. Both are downright unfriendly when mature and bonus sloes to go in the gin so making sloe gin. Cheers

[Stripey_cat]

Maybe stick in some Rosa rugosa until the trees establish?