Of the several hundred species of hawthorns native over the entire United States, one stands out prominently as an excellent ornamental tree.
Crataegus phaenopyrum, the Washington thorn, does well all across the country.
Dimensions Of Washington Thorn
It is seldom for a tree found growing to be more than 30′ feet high. In fact, the largest tree on record, according to the American Forestry Association, is at Laurel, Maryland.
It measures 2′ feet and 9″ inches in trunk circumference and 25′ feet in height and has a 23-foot branch span.
Flowering And Fruits Of Washington Thorn
The single white flowers, about 1/2″ inch in diameter but borne in many-flowered clusters, appear in mid-June.
One of the last hawthorns to bloom, the Washington thorn flowers at a time when few other ornamental trees bloom.
Just as important as its flowers are the clusters of bright red fruits. The berries are about 1/4″ inch in diameter and begin to color brightly in early fall.
Best Qualities Of Crataegus Phaenopyrum (Washington Thorn)
One of the first things one notices about this tree is its habit. Although not definitely fastigiate (erect and columnar), it is upright in the habit of growth.
Not Hard To Maintain
And with a minimal amount of trimming, it can quickly be made to appear fastigiate.
This is a big asset, for the tree is frequently used in highway planting—often in the narrow strip between divided highways, where it helps cut down headlight glare at night.
Can Grow In Cities
Like all hawthorns, it seems to withstand poor soil and drought, two reasons why it is so successful in city gardens.
In this respect, it is not superior to the tree-of-heaven or the sumacs, but it will withstand difficult growing conditions.
Wonderful Foliage
The autumn color of the foliage is an excellent glossy red to orange, another reason for considering this tree of year-round interest.
Very Good Barrier Plant And Specimen Tree
The dense twiggy habit and the numerous inch-long thorns make it an excellent barrier plant, and it withstands clipping into hedge form very well indeed.
Its general habit and ornamental qualities also make it useful as a specimen tree.
Things Need To Keep In Mind
However, this excellent tree is not immune to the troubles common to most hawthorns.
Lace bugs and red spiders may attack the foliage in summer. Sprays for both these pests are not difficult to time properly.
Fire blight can trouble many thorns, apples, pears, and cotoneasters. Controlling this disease is difficult, but all dead or dying branches should be removed as soon as noticed and burned.
Borers, too, cause trouble occasionally, getting into the trunks and limbs.
And all hawthorns are alternate hosts for the cedar apple rust. Therefore, if the red cedar is prevalent within a radius of one mile from a proposed planting site, this Washington thorn should be carefully considered before it is planted to any great extent.
44659 by Donald Wyman