Hawthorn

Crataegus

Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · native and introduced (species-dependent)

Last updated May 23, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

15-35 ft (species-dependent)

Spread

15-25 ft

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Adaptable

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 3–9 (species-dependent)

Fall Color

Orange to red-purple (variable by species)

Origin

Pacific Northwest native

Fire BlightHigh

Bloom Infection Window

Pear psyllaHigh

First Generation

Tent caterpillarHigh

Larval Feeding

Powdery MildewModerate

Spring Emergence / Primary Infection

+ 1 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Diseases: Regionally Documented (7)

Erwinia amylovora Fire Blight Cedar-Hawthorn Rust Entomosporium Leaf Spot Venturia spp. — multiple host-specific species: V Scab Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Symptom category — not a single disease Canker

Pests: Regionally Documented (10)

Aphids Various (Agromyzidae, Gracillariidae, Tenthredinidae) Leafminer Scale insects Spider mites Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar Cacopsylla pyricola Pear psylla Caliroa cerasi Pear slug Choreutis pariana Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Tortricidae Leafroller

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (6 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Mar 1-Mar 31	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible at bud tips
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Apr 1-Apr 30	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom BBCH 61	May 1-May 31	First open flowers visible in corymbs; white to pink petals; fragrance noticeable
Fruit set BBCH 71	Jun 1-Jul 15	Small green haws forming where flowers were; petals dropped
Fruit color BBCH 85	Sep 1-Oct 31	Haws fully colored red (or black in C. douglasii); attractive to birds
Leaf drop BBCH 93	Nov 1-Dec 15	Leaves coloring and dropping; fall color variable by species

Cultivars (5)

'C. douglasii (Black Hawthorn)'

Native to Western WA; black fruit; suckers freely; multi-stemmed thicket-forming habit; 20-30 ft

Prairie restoration companion for Garry oak (Quercus garryana); tolerates seasonal flooding

'C. monogyna (English Hawthorn)'

Widely naturalized; single-seeded fruit; dense rounded crown; 20-30 ft; thorny

WA state monitor list for invasive potential; hybridizes with native C. douglasii; prolific seeder

'C. laevigata (English Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn)'

Ornamental cultivars 'Paul's Scarlet' (double pink-red) and 'Crimson Cloud' (single red with white center); 15-25 ft

Most common ornamental hawthorn in the nursery trade here

'C. phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn)'

Best fall color of the genus (orange to scarlet); glossy leaves; persistent bright red fruit; 25-30 ft

Excellent ornamental; good disease resistance makes it a top recommendation for the region

'C. viridis 'Winter King' (Green Hawthorn)'

Outstanding ornamental; vase-shaped; silvery bark; persistent orange-red fruit; relatively thornless; 25-35 ft

Top recommendation for landscapes wanting a hawthorn with minimal disease issues

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.