Crataegus phaenopyrum Seeds

Crataegus phaenopyrum
Washington Hawthorn

Habitat

native range is Virginia to Alabama
hardy to zone 4
Habit and Form

a medium-sized deciduous tree
25′ to 30′ tall
20′ to 25′ wide
broad, rounded tree
medium texture

Summer Foliage

simple, lobed leaves
alternate leaf arrangement
leaves emerge reddish and mature to a dark green
serrated leaf margins
1″ to 3″ long
about two-thirds as wide
subcordate leaf base

Autumn Foliage

orange to red fall color
moderately showy

Flowers

white flowers
0.5″ in diameter
blooms early in June
short bloom time only 7 to 10 days
Fruit

a red pome
0.25″ in diameter
matures Sept. to October
persist through the winter
birds eat fruit

Bark

stems are slender and brown
1″ to 3″ long thorns along stems
mature bark is “apple-like”

Culture

easy to grow
prefers moist, fertile soil
prune tolerant
full sun is best
Landscape Use

specimen tree
screen border
prune into hedge
Liabilities

thorns can be hazardous
tends to have many pest problems similar to apple trees
ID Features

1″ to 3″ long thorns along stems
a medium-sized deciduous tree
25′ to 30′ tall and 20′ to 25′ wide
broad, rounded tree
simple, lobed leaves
Propagation

by cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties

‘Fastigiata’ and ‘Princeton Sentry’ (Princeton Sentry™) – These are fastigiate forms with columnar habits, to 30′ tall and 20′ wide. ‘Princeton Sentry’ has almost thornless branches.

‘Vaughn’ (also seen as x ‘Vaughnii’) – A hybrid with C. crusgalli, this small tree has exceptional red fruit that is long-lasting and borne profusely. There are different reports concerning its disease susceptibility, however, with some claiming heavy incidence of rust.