A pear of some sort?

[Ashilde]

The leaves remind me of a callery pear, but it doesn't look to have a central trunk. It had a bunch of low hanging branches nearly touching the ground that I pruned because I'd hit them going by on a mower (you can see a pile of branches set to the side). I'd appreciate any insight on what this is. I live in the southeast US if that helps.

 

[oldoakman]

Possibly sprouting from the root stock. Any other pears close by?

 

[Ashilde]

Possibly sprouting from the root stock. Any other pears close by?

Hmm... The tree is near a neighbor's property line where they just let everything pretty much grow wild. I took a better look and spotted maybe 2-3 more mature versions of these trees tucked in with the other foliage and they did have 1.5 inch thorns. Interestingly, I went to the opposite side of the property where there aren't as many trees but spotted 3 more smaller versions of these. Wondering if birds are spreading around seeds too?

 

[oldoakman]

Birds may be the culprit also. Ohio has outlawed planting these things and South Carolina has a bounty on them.