A tree of pain and pleasure
With thorns, flowers and berries, the hawthorn is a tough all-rounder that has many uses
WALKING in the countryside this week, the lanes were scattered with red haws, the fruit of our native hawthorn, Crataegus.
Sometimes collected and made into jellies, wine or syrup, the ber- ries are an important food source for birds so no doubt they have all since been devoured. In turn, the tree benefits from the birds who will disperse the seeds elsewhere through their droppings.
The birds also favour the dense branches of the hawthorn for making secure nests. One hawthorn can support up to 300 species of animal by providing shelter and food for birds, moth caterpillars, dormice and various invertebrates.
Farmers have long used hawthorn as barrier hedging – the thick spiny branches prevent livestock from getting through and it’s also a good choice for garden hedging. It will grow quickly but can be clipped back as necessary.
The fresh green leaves in spring are followed in May with the clouds of white blossoms that cover these hedgerows, giving rise to its other common name, the May tree. Sight of its blossom is a sure sign that summer is on its way. Honeybees and other pollinating insects will feast on its pollen and nectar.
The deciduous leaves take on golden tints in autumn and then the red berries extend the seasonal interest.
Another useful aspect of the hawthorn is its ability to grow on most soils, including poor soil – it really isn’t fussy and is one of the hardiest trees.
It can cope with industrial pollution, coastal winds and salt, and once established can deal with drought and wetness, though it doesn’t like to be waterlogged. It will also grow in full sun or partial shade. There are more decorative cultivars for the garden such as ‘Paul’s Scarlet’. This is a lovely compact tree suitable for smaller gardens and has rich pink double flowers.
‘Rosea Flore Pleno’ also has pretty pink flowers, sometimes likened to tiny pink roses, and yellow and bronze leaves in autumn – this would be charming in a cottagestyle garden.
‘Crimson Cloud’ has single pink-red flowers with white centres and all these trees have been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, considered excellent choices for domestic gardens.
C. pedicellata, the Scarlet Haw, is a small tree with large bunches of scarlet fruits and often rich autumn foliage colours of pinks and reds.
Finally there is the hawthorn that blooms twice, once in May and also in December – Crataegus biflora. It is also known as the Glastonbury thorn and legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea plunged his staff into the ground in Glastonbury and it sprouted. Each year at Christmas a sprig is presented to the Queen to decorate her table.
The dormant season for deciduous trees is from November to March so if you are considering planting either a hawthorn hedge or a single specimen ornamental tree, now’s the right time to plant bare root stock and this will also be the cheapest way.
Whether you’re planting bare root or container stock, prepare the ground well, removing weeds and adding lots of compost.