Washington hawthorn trees (Crataegus phaenopyrum) are native to the southeastern part of this country. They are cultivated for their showy flowers, bright-colored fruit, and lovely fall colors. A relatively small tree, Washington hawthorn makes a nice addition to a backyard or garden. Keep reading for tips on how to grow Washington hawthorn trees.
| Common name | Hawthorn Thornapple, Washington Hawthorn |
| Botanical name | Crataegus phaenopyrum |
| Family | Roseaceae |
| Species | phaenopyrum |
| Origin | Southeastern North America |
| Life cycle | Woody |
| Plant type | Edible |
| Hardiness zone | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Soil condition | Clay |
| Soil ph | Acid |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Harvest time | Fall |
| Flowering period | Spring |
| Height | 25 ft. – 30 ft. |
| Width | 25 ft. – 30 ft. |
| Flower color | White |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fruit color | Burgundy, Red |
| Stem color | Brown, Copper |
| Fruit type | Berry |
| Fruit benefit | Edible |
| Leaf benefit | Showy |
| Flower benefit | Fragrant |
| Garden style | Butterfly Garden |
| Uses | Lawn |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Crataegus phaenopyrum is a species of hawthorn commonly known as Washington hawthorn or Washington thorn. The species is native to the mid-eastern United States.
It offers fragrant spring flowers that attract butterflies and bright fruit called haws that wild birds love. These hawthorns are also lovely in autumn. The green foliage blazes into shades of orange, scarlet, crimson, and purple. Washington hawthorn trees don’t get taller than 30 feet (9 m.). Cultivated specimens can be considerably shorter. Those thinking of growing Washington hawthorn will want to know that the branches have large spines, however. That makes them good candidates for a defensive hedge but probably not a good idea if you have pets or small children running around.
As with other species of hawthorn, the wood is hard and can be used to make tools.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Although it can grow in partial shade, Washington hawthorn will like a sunny spot.
Temperature and Humidity
This tree grows well in most of the United States, except in the coldest and hottest regions. The Washington hawthorn tree does not do well in very humid climates.
Watering
Water regularly in the beginning. Once established, they are reasonably drought-tolerant but still require watering to keep the trees hydrated.
Soil
Washington hawthorns adapt well to many soil types and pH levels, including acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, and wet and dry clay soils. It prefers well-drained soil, however. It’s adaptable to urban pollution, as well.
Fertilizing
Fertilize a Washington hawthorn tree every other year or so in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning
Little pruning is necessary though a Washington hawthorn can develop into a thicket if the tree is not trained properly. However, it can tolerate hard pruning without injury. Pruning should be done after blooms are gone or in the fall after its leaves drop. You may want to call a licensed arborist to prune any hawthorn tree with thorns. If you choose to prune a thorny hawthorn yourself, wear thick leather gloves, eye protection, and a helmet.
Propagation
Nurseries propagate Washington hawthorn through grafting methods, which are best left up to professionals. Propagating hawthorn trees with cuttings is not ideal and results will be hit or miss. If you want to try cuttings, take hardwood cuttings in the early fall or winter. Then, take these steps as you would with any other cutting.
- With a sterilized cutting tool, take a 6 to 10-inch cutting from a branch. Make sure the branch has a few nodes on it.
- Dip the cutting into the rooting hormone.
- Put the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil. One node should be sticking up above the soil.
- Put the pot outdoors or in a cold frame where it will root during the winter. You will probably need to keep the seedlings in a pot for an entire year before planting in the ground.
How to Grow from Seed
Growing a Washington hawthorn tree from seed usually yields more success than from a cuttings but it is much slower. To grow the seeds, take these steps:
- Harvest berries in the fall and clean off the seeds.
- The seeds need stratification. Wrap seeds in a paper towel or sand that’s moistened and place them in a zippered plastic bag. Though the time is not definitive, try putting the bag in the refrigerator for three to four months for a long dormancy period.4
- Sow seeds in a pot filled with a seed-starting mix that’s well-draining. Cover seeds lightly with the soil.
- Place the pot in a warm and bright space and keep the soil moist. The seeds will germinate in a few weeks or months (the time varies).
- You will likely need to keep the seedlings in a pot for at least a year until they are strong enough to be planted in the ground.
Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The Washington hawthorn tree is one of the healthiest, disease- and pest-resistant hawthorns you can plant. However, stay on the lookout for common pests including aphids, borers, caterpillars, lace bugs, leafminers, and scale.
Leaves may be discolored or skeletonized if there’s a pest problem. Spraying these bugs off the tree with a garden hose or the use of insecticidal soaps can reduce many of these issues.
Though rust is a common problem with hawthorn trees, the Washington hawthorn does a good job of resisting cedar-apple rust. The tree is prone to sometimes fatal fire blight which kills blossoms and shoots, resulting in branch dieback. Washington hawthorn may also be afflicted with fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers, and apple scab.
- Common Problems With Washington Hawthorn
Washington hawthorn trees may be less problematic than other hawthorns. The biggest problem is the thorns that can hurt when touched unless you can plant a thornless cultivar. Otherwise, here are a couple more problems to be aware of with this tree.
Weak Branches
Washington hawthorn trees, just like other unpruned hawthorns, may break apart in severe weather or ice storms. Train and prune the tree so it is a single trunk to avoid problems.
Browning Branch Tips
Branch tips that look burned with dangling dead brown leaves indicate fire blight. Prune out the affected branches and avoid using nitrogen fertilizer. There is no other preventative control.
III. How to Get Washington Hawthorn to Bloom
- Bloom Months
The tree produces beautiful white clustering blooms from late spring to early summer, typically May through June. If you grow flowering specimens that bloom earlier in the spring (for example, flowering dogwoods), planting a late-blooming tree such as a Washington hawthorn can help bridge the gap between the spring’s display of blooms and autumn’s foliage show.
- What Do Washington Hawthorn Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Clusters of small white flowers resemble apple blossoms. Flowers have a strong, sweet, and almond-like fragrance.
- How to Encourage More Blooms
A Washington hawthorn that receives full sun and fertilizer will usually produce an abundance of healthy flowers.
IV. Types of Washington Hawthorns
- ‘Princeton Sentry’: A trademarked cultivar, this Washington hawthorn is a vigorous grower and is just about thornless.1
- ‘Fastigiata’: This cultivar is also almost thornless, has more of an upright growth pattern, and produces smaller flowers and fruits.1
- ‘Winter King’: Mostly thornless, this hawthorn produces clusters of white flowers in spring, red to purplish leaves in fall, and bright red fruits in the winter. It’s also reported to be resistant to rust and fire blight. It grows best in problematic clay soil.2
- ‘Vaughn’: This is a thorny hybrid between a Washington hawthorn and a cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) producing fragrant white flowers and red fruits.3
V. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Crataegus phaenopyrum is often used as a landscape tree or hedge; it grows best in full sun for flowering and fruiting but can grow in partial shade. It is also adaptable to many types of soils and pH levels.
Its dense, thorny growth and ability to withstand pruning make it a good protective hedging plant.
- Culinary uses
The fruit is edible and can be made into jelly or crushed to make tea.
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