Washington Hawthorne
Crataegus phaenopyrum
A deciduous tree from the Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Washington Hawthorn, the last of the Hawthorns to flower, is found in the wild throughout the eastern and southern United States. The Washington Hawthorn is extensively planted in urban landscapes as an ornamental tree noted for its white flowers in spring and orange-red fruits in autumn and winter. Wildlife enjoy the abundant small fruits, which may hang on into late January if they are not eaten.
Washington Hawthorns may reach 20' tall by 15' wide when found in the open, often with a multitrunked and arching growth habit at maturity. As a member of the Rose Family, it is related to the Serviceberries, Chokeberries, Crabapples, Plums, Cherries, Pears, and Roses, as well as the many other Hawthorn species and hybrids.
Planting Requirements
Washington Hawthorns prefer moist soils with good drainage. It is adaptable to poor, dry, compacted soils and is found in zones 4 to 8, in full sun to partial sun.
Potential Problems
Washington Hawthorns have a number of pests that feed on its foliage and emergent stems, but none are usually life-threatening and only cause cosmetic damage. It has several pathogens that affect leaf and fruit quality (most notably fruit scab), but there is one disease that is life-threatening over a period of years. Rusts (there are several) infect the new growth in spring, as well as the green fruits. As the rusts continually infect the same areas year after year, the ability of the tree to send out new growth is diminished, and the tree is weakened and may eventually die if preventative spray measures are not taken.
Cultivars
Presidential - An oval tree reaching a height of about 28' and a spread of 23'. The tree is reported as tolerant of urban conditions and as resistant to disease.
Princeton Sentry - An upright growth habit on a plant 18' - 20' tall.
Vaughn (C. crus-galli X C. phaenopyrum) - A small tree producing masses of orange-red fruits. The fall
color is red.
Westwood I' (Washington Lustre) - This cultivar produces flowers earlier in the season and has fewer thorns.
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