Hawthorn, Cockspur
Crataegus crus-galli
Rosaceae - Rose

Description

Leaves: Alternate; simple; oval; 1" to 4" long and 1/3 as wide; deciduous; finely serrate margin, seldom lobed; glabrous; shiny above; leathery; purple-red fall color.

Twigs/buds: Longer thorns than C. douglasii, 1-1/2" to 3" long, though one common cultivar, var. inermis, is thornless.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, white; 1/2" diameter; similar to C. douglasii. Fruit a 3/8" to 1/2" diameter pome, deep orange-red when mature.

Bark: Information unavailable; possibly similar to other Crataegus species: dark red to grayish; shreddy, scaly or sometimes blocky when young; weakly furrowed, ridged, scaly, and often fluted or knotted when older.

Wood: Likely similar to other Crataegus species: heartwood reddish-brown, sapwood light-colored; hard, heavy; diffuse-porous, close-grained; used to make handles for tools and canes.

General: Native to much of the eastern U.S. Fairly tough and drought tolerant; pH adaptable. Shade intolerant. Thorns or spines that can be dangerous; use thornless varieties if possible.

Landscape Use: A nice small tree with good fall color, attractive persistent fruit in winter, and thornless if var. inermis is used. Is being planted some in Utah and some nurseries are carrying it. Should be planted more. Zones 3-8.

Cultivars: var. inermis also known as 'Cruzam' or 'Crusader', 'Hooks', Splendens'.

Characteristics

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