Greenbrier

This is Smilax rotundifolia, also called roundleaf greenbrier.   It's common enough out here, but I've never been able to identify it until now - these blue berries are a dead giveaway.

It's also called Catbrier.  We have the variety that has a few thorns [hence the name greenbrier], but not tons of them.   Some of the Smilax species have stems covered with bristly thorns.   It's worse than the multiflora roses to deal with and almost impossible to get rid of.  

These berries will hang on all winter and are an important source of winter feed for birds and animals.   [Which will help me rationalize my decision to just let them be.]

Here are more pics of the leaves so you can see what they look like during the summer.   The leaves remind me of a fleshy sort of clematis.  They're really pretty. 

Eastern Red Cedar

I love the blue berries of the eastern red cedar tree - Juniperus virginiana.   It's a very useful tree, but very invasive.    Landowners of prairie grasslands will ruthlessly eradicate any start they find.   

Out here we let it grow.   I like the evergreen and it provides good wood for burning and building.  

I love the berries and use them for winter decorating.   They're prickly branches, but they smell so good!

Here's an interesting site with more information about this tree.