A hawthorn tree will bring clouds of snow-white flowers in spring.
The fruits, which resemble rosehips, stand out in a snowbound landscape.
Robins sometimes line the branches in mid- to late winter, harvesting the fruits.
Mike Jensen.
This tree is also known as cockspur thorn, and for good reason.
Hawthorns prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil but are unflappable in heat and humidity.
Where to Plant Hawthorn
Hawthorn grows best in full sun and average, well-drained soil.
Mike Jensen.
Choose a sunny spot to get the most out of the hawthorns showy blooms.
How and When to Plant Hawthorn
Plant nursery-grown trees in early spring or early fall.
Dig a hole in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
Jerry Pavia.
Water spring-planted trees regularly and deeply through the first growing season.
Water your fall-planted trees regularly and deeply for a growing season beginning in the spring following planting.
Light
Hawthorn grows bestin full sun.
Peter Krumhardt.
That said, if the soil is too compact, the tree maydevelop root rot.
For the healthiest tree possible, start by choosing a disease-resistant variety.
It has dark-brown bark with long thorns.
Common hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, a.k.a.
It produces clusters ofdark pink bloomsthat resemble miniature roses in the spring.
It features white flowers and green foliage that turns red, orange, and purple in the fall.
In winter, the disease-resistant tree is bright with red fruit and silvery-gray bark.
Great planting partners include crabapple, redbud, and serviceberry.
All of these trees flower in spring to create a colorful screen that also providessustenance for pollinatorsduring flowering.
They have a tangy, tart flavor with a hint of sweetness.
These trees can live for a long time.
Their average lifespan is 250 years.
However, they often live 100-400 years.
Crataegus pennsylvanica, Rare Plant Profile-NJDEP-Requesting Heritage Data.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Office of Natural Lands Management.
Crataegus tourn.Ex L. GBIF.
