plant id please

Does anyone recognise this plant? I thought at first it was a tree sapling, but it doesn't seem to be robust enough for that.
Thanks

 

It might be a sycamore sapling.

 

Thanks, but not sure about that. Sycamore leaf stalks are reddish and long, whereas on this the leaves have almost no stalks, and there is what looks like a thorn at the base.

 

Gooseberry?

 

I'm wondering if it's hawthorn. I've just pinched a shoot off our hedge and this is what it looks like.

 

Thanks, yes that looks like the one. I did look up hawthorn, but they didn't look like yours!
It's at the base of a fence, so only a small hedge is needed. Will it get too big for that, do you know?

 

Looks similar doesn't it but an odd thing to spring up at the base of a fence.

 

Young hawthorn can look much "fresher" than our ancient hedge sample. I had to search for a sprig as it has recently been trimmed. You can keep it trimmed to keep it small. Our hedge is kept to about 7ft to hide the fence and it is trimmed in Spring and then again when it gets untidy and sprouts shoots here and there. It doesn't mind being trimmed. I can't think what else yours could be, but others may have other ideas.

 

Might be a type of maple.

 

I'd go with a hawthorn, they're quite a variable species all three of my small trees are different to each other.
All three started off as small seedlings, probably from a bird eating the haw and then depositing the seed under it's next stop.
They are very amenable to pruning.

 

Acer Psuedoplatanus .... common name Sycamore .
and
Acer..... common name maple.
Can be ruled out both have opposite leaves ..leaves very different shape.
Pics below are Sycamore

Hawthorn looks good.
Leaves are alternate.
It has tiny leaves...scapes as well as normal leaves..see cactus_girl,pic above

 

Go to a leaf ID web site there are a few out there.

 

The internet is indeed remarkable, but often personal knowledge can be very helpful.

zebrina, please can you post a clear pic of a single leaf on a white background with a ruler next to it for scale.

 

Just realised that I missed your clue!

Thorn.
Alternate leaves.
Leaves right shape.
Crataegus monogyna..common name Hawthorn .....it ticks pretty much all the boxes.

 

Please see my post above.
I have finally found the correct name for those tiny rounded leaves that are on the stem of Hawthorn.
They are called stipules!
They show very clearly in zebrina, and cactus_girl,pics above.

See a close up below.