Thought I would let you know that only 1 photo posted.

debra

If you click on the icons the pictures show. But they're not very helpful for id purposes. It is hard to make out the leaf arrangement but it doesn't look clearly opposite, so that would exclude Ligustrum. Also there seems to be a large thorn in one photo. Anyway the id is not much use now since the plant has been uprooted.

sometimes I use my hands as a backdrop for details of buds or leaves, in this case those pics are pretty useless

Yes, that huge thorn rules out Ligustrum.

Elaeagnus pungens, Thorny Olive