Qualities of the Hawthorn Tree

Appearance

• Hawthorn trees add a evocative quality to the landscape. The trunks are often crooked, and the zig-zagging branches arch up and out in cascading layers. This growth habit contrasts with the tidy, safe but uninspired habits of maples or elms. Hawthorns also have ornamental qualities that change with the season. Serrated, emerald green leaves of many species change into fiery orange and yellow in the fall, and the hawthorn's fruit shines a bright red or orange after the leaves drift away, similar to crab apples or rose hips. In spring, hawthorn varieties bloom in bright white, red or pink.

Habitat

• Hawthorns are favorite trees for wildlife. Rabbits, deer and other opportunistic feeders enjoy the tree's brightly colored fruit through the colder months. The remaining seeds are favorites with songbirds, and the birds also shelter among the hawthorn's dense branches and thorns. In the wild, hawthorns often form protective thickets for grouse. If you're looking for trees to plant in a naturalized wildlife garden, these qualities make hawthorns a strong contender.

Adaptability

• Hawthorns are remarkably adaptable. They tolerate drought and, unlike many trees, have a neater silhouette when conditions are dry. Cold doesn't faze most species. Soil types aren't a concern either; hawthorns grow in sandy, heavy or rocky soils. Their adaptability, however, may be an undesired quality for some areas. For example, the English hawthorn (C. monogyna) is an invasive pest in California.

Drawbacks

• Hawthorns do have less-desirable qualities that can prove problematic. Like other members of the rose family, hawthorns are vulnerable to a range of common pests and diseases including fireblight, entomosporium leaf spot, aphids and powdery mildew. They may sucker freely and form shaggy clumps instead of single-trunked trees. In spring, the hawthorn's flowers have an unpleasant scent. The thorns limit their placement in heavily-traveled areas and demand thick gloves when pruning the twiggy growth. Weigh the hawthorn's qualities carefully before planting this tree in your landscape.