Crataegus phaenopyrum

PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub Course Home Week 7

Crataegus phaenopyrum - Washington Hawthorn

Plant Viewer


The triangular leaves are 1-3 inches long and have 3-5 lobes. The margin is serrated.	The red pome fruit forms in clusters and is persistent.

The thorns are vicious, and grow to be 3 inches long.	The white flowers form in corymbs on the tree and only bloom for a little more than a week.

Plant Description

Crataegus phaenopyrum is a small to medium sized flowering tree (20-30 feet high and wide). Like other species of Crataegus

The leaves are 1-3 inches long and are triangular shade. The top of the leaf is a glossy dark green color, while underneath it is a pale creamy-green. In fall the leaves turn an attractive orange color. Unlike the species of Hawthorn from Europe, Washington Hawthorn does not have rounded lobes on the leaf, but rather has 3-5 understated pointed lobes. The margin is serrated.

The flowers are white and appear on corymbs in the beginning of summer. The flower display is short lived, blooming for just a little over a week. Bright red pome fruit ripens by fall and is held in large clusters. The ornamental fruit persists on the tree through winter - or until the birds have eaten it all.

Landscape Use

It is excellent to use as a specimen or lawn tree. Although its tolerant nature makes it ideally suited for use as a parking strip or parking lot tree, its thorns can be an unpleasant surprise to the unsuspecting pedestrian.

Points of Interest

Unlike the other popular species of Hawthorn, Crataegus phaenopyrum is native to the United States.