Black Hawthorn

Scientific name

Crataegus douglasii

Description

Black Hawthorne is a deciduous tree species that typically grows between 3 and 7 m in height. The bark is rough, scaly, and the branches have sharp thorns. The leaves are dark green colored with pale green undersides, shiny, leathery, oval shaped, have slight lobes, and have saw toothed margins. The flowers are white colored, have five petals, are fragrant, appear in flat-topped clusters, and bloom between May and June. These flowers produce clusters of black, edible fruits called ‘haws’. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, such as bees and butterflies. The fruit and habitat are beneficial to wildlife species, such as birds and small mammals. This tree can grow as either an ornamental tree or a hedge-like shrub, depending on pruning. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.

Planting conditions

Black Hawthorne grows best in moist to wet conditions with full sun exposure. It can grow well in a variety of soil types. It is tolerant of drought, periodic flooding, alkaline soil and air pollution. This tree can be naturally found in wetlands, wet meadows, ditches, and along stream shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 6m
• Spread:
  • 3m