The Cockspur Hawthorn - Crataegus crus-galli is distinguished by the combination of unlobed, short stalked, hairless, lustrous, and dark green leaves. It is a small deciduous tree that reaches heights of 30 feet on average. It grows in an erect, typically upright form with a broad rounded crown. It is native to the entire East Coast with the exception of Southern Florida, West through Texas in the South and Michigan in the North. It is most commonly found growing in thickets, woodlands, bottom lands, pastures and stream beds. It is among the most common and widespread of all the Eastern Hawthorn, found in all but three eastern states.
Image Citation: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
The bark of the Cockspur Hawthorn is full of stout, gray-black, straight or curved thorns. The leaves are alternate, simple, narrowly obovate, thick, leathery, with a rounded base and blades 2-8 cm long. The flowers are circular, with white petals, 10 - 20 stamens, occurring in Mid-Spring. The fruit is a greenish pome, that becomes red with maturity. The fruit is rounded or oblong 8-15 mm each, maturing in Autumn.
Image Citation: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
The Cockspur Hawthorn is a very popular garden tree and is used in not only residential applications but also commercially and along roadsides. It is recommended for hardiness zones 4-9. Cockspur Hawthorn prefers moist, well drained, slightly acid soils, and full sunlight. It is adaptable to poor soils and various soil pHs, compacted soils, drought, heat and even limited winter salt sprays. This tree provides excellent cover and nesting areas for many small varieties of small birds. The fruits are eaten by birds, including waxwings, sparrows, grouse, and small rodents. The twigs and leaves are eaten by white tail and mule deer.
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