University of Illinois Home Contact Search
UI Plants Woody Ornamentals
Advanced Search
Select a Plant
ResourcesLinks
 Plant Details
habit
leaves
buds
stems
flowers
fruits
fallcolor
bark
culture

 

 

 


Crataegus crus-galli



More Photos
Previous PhotoPhoto #0Photo #1Selected PhotoPhoto #3Next Photo

 

Crataegus crus-galli
Cockspur hawthorn

Culture: Well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun are best for this species, although it does tolerate variable pH ranges. It is pollution tolerant, but difficult to transplant, and is best pruned in early spring or winter.

The hawthorns in general tend to suffer from most Rosaceous plant problems, and this species is no exception. Fireblight, rust, leaf spot, scab, powdery mildew, mites, and leaf miners are just a few of the more serious ones. Fireblight can kill a tree, and the rusts are disfiguring, turning the fruit into hairy little balls of pink to orange phosphorescence. Despite this long list, the tree normally performs well with few problems except for occasional years when the cedar hawthorn rust disfigures the fruit.

Usage: This tree is an excellent choice for dry landscapes where its horizontal lines are needed to soften harsh vertical architectural lines. It should not be planted near members of the Juniperus genus, and can be attacked by fireblight in rainy areas. Care must be taken with the thorns as well, ensuring that they pose no threat to people. This species should not be located close to places children will frequent. In summary, it is probably best viewed from a distance.

 
All information on this site is copyright protected. Please see our copyright statement.  
©2024  Gary J. Kling, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Christopher P. Lindsey, hort.net, NCSA
  Mark E. Zampardo, College of Lake County