These are branches on a tree located at Brewster Gardens in Plymouth.  From a distance the tree looked like a very thin Christmas Tree (click here to see wideshot). The branches looked prickly and I went over to touch one to see how sharp they were. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were very smooth and rubbery.  I really like the texture of them. I have no idea what kind of tree this is but it looks much nicer close up than it does from a distance.