My husband has had terrible headaches since he cut down this plant/tree. I wanted to try to identify.

Chittamwood, perhaps?

Look at the thorns on that shrub .

Maybe Chaparral Whitethorn - Ceanothus leucodermis. Its native to your area, has wicked thorns and beautiful blue flowers in the spring. I've never heard of anyone being poisoned by it though.

Does your husband have any donut shaped bruises with two tiny holes in the middle? Spider bites are a common side effect of brush clearing and can lead to week long headaches....

Looks like Pyracantha to me based on photo.
Did it, or does it get orange berries on it ?

Now that you mention Pyracantha, I agree.

No orange berries on it and I looked up various Pyracantha pics and that's not the one. It's not Chaparral Whitethorn because it grows up like a tree, but it does branch alot at the bottom. Most similar to the Chittamwood pics, but the leaves don't all have the "whirl" pattern, some do cluster but most are just single alternating. Unfortunately is wasn't in bloom or have berries when we got to it. That bloom/berry part seems like some valuable info to help figure out if I had it.
The idea of bite to cause headache is probable. That did happen with some other trimming. I felt so bad.

I've never heard of Chittamwood growing anywhere outside Texas.

Look at the leaf veining, leaf growth habit on branches, thorn location, flowers and seeds.... Size can be affected by environment and age.

I get bit by a Black Widow at least once a year. I feel tired and achy, have a headache and a fever. Just about the time I decide its flu or heat stroke, a donut bruise shows up on my person someplace. You never feel a spider bite when it happens.

Curious, has he been tested for Covid?

It looks a bit like a one of the thorny Prunus Species. Perhaps Prunus fasciculata although it is mostly a dense shrub and lightly thorned.

Looks just like Pyracantha to me. Nothing like Ceanothus.

jhumphries, I just looked at your name and realized you work at CPP too! If you have any samples, bring a piece to campus anytime, call xt 3030, and ask them to find John the Gardener (radio call # 501). I'll be in the rest of this week and all of next week, 6 to 2:30.


GO BRONCOS!!