Thank you for the above link. My most painful poke recently is from a dead needle of my Norway Spruce, and my eyes got poked by a birch tree's branch last fall. So trees are just as bad.

roseseek Thanks for an important reminder with this article. It sounds like what I might have in my little finger from an Abe thorn. After getting stuck, the joint was red for a month and burned like fire. The Dr said she didn't see anything wrong, and added she works with roses and gets thorns in her hands all the time, nothing to worry about. I did request a tetanus shot. The joint frequently turns red and still hurts two or three years later.

Last week I was super careful trimming all the roses , got to the dumpster with my garbage sack to toss it, and felt the thorns go through the sack and my garden glove. I don't know how many times it will take for me to learn I must wear my leather gloves every time.

strawchicago z5 OUCH !

This post, and Straw's experience with a tree branch reminded me that I have learned to wear safety glasses when pruning any rose with long whip-like growth. No need to snag an eye!

Yes Straw... Ouchy!