Hello everyone! I currently am enrolled in a Field Botany course in which we catalog Virginia Native trees. However last class during our field excursion I came across a tree that was not in the key of native Virginian trees. My teacher then encouraged me to look up the identity of the tree online. I have tried, but I don't know where to start when looking up this particular plant family and species. Some key characteristics that I noticed was that this tree contains 1-1.5 in thorns at each and every axillary bud. The top of the leaf blade is very waxy and comes to a sharp point towards then end. The petioles are also white in contrast to the green leaves. I found this tree on the margin of a creek if the environment is important when cataloging trees. I would appreciate if anyone had any insight to what this tree may be. Attached i have three pictures that I took of the plant.
I'm looking at pictures of Maclura pomifera and I don't see thorns at every axillary bud. Perhaps I'm looking at a different species, or just a representation of the plasticity of the plant? My professor insisted that the thorns were a characteristic feature, however she was unsure about the plant name. Thanks for your time!