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![Crataegus crus-galli Cockspur Hawthorn
While this native* member of the rose family is found naturally in clearings, glades, woodland borders, and roadsides, it is a tough, adaptable tree that does well in urban settings. Its name refers to its long (2–4”) thorns,** which are said to resemble the spurs of a cock.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Tree Flowers, Fruit,*** Bark, Thorns, Foliage
Height: 20–35 feet
Spread: 25–35 feet
Bloom Color: Creamy white
Characteristics
Small deciduous tree with rounded form, short, stout trunk and horizontal, thorny branches
Alternate, glabrous, dark green, spoon-shaped, finely toothed leaves; orange to scarlet fall foliage
Flat clusters (corymbs) of creamy white flowers [some consider them malodorous] from May–June
Small red pomes (haws) in fall persist into winter
Spreads by suckers to form thickets
Attributes
Tolerates drought, pollution; susceptible to rusts, fireblight, leaf spots, mildew, and insect damage; deer occasionally browse young twigs & leaves
Fruits*** edible but more showy than tasty
Attracts various insects to flowers; songbirds and mammals to cover, nesting material, and fruit; larval host for Gray Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Red- spotted Purple, and Viceroy butterflies and moths
Growing and Maintenance Tips
Excellent Replacement for
Soil Requirements: Average, Well-drained
Morus alba - White Mulberry
Light Requirements: Sun
Pyrus calleryana - Callery (‘Bradford’) Pear
Water Requirements: Moist
*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC and MD. Its status is undetermined in DE. It is scattered in southern PA, mostly concentrated in the southeast corner. It is frequent to common in the mountains and infrequent eastward in VA. In NoVA, it is native to Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
**Thorns can cause significant injury. The variety Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis is thornless as is its cultivar ‘Cruzam' CRUSADER® that also claims resistance to rust on fruits.
***Fruit is pictured on a thornless, seedless cultivar. Avoid planting trees in well-trafficked areas due to potential fruit litter.
Prune in winter or early spring; watch out for thorns
Plant away from cedar to minimize rust diseases
Use as an ornamental accent or barrier hedge or for erosion control on slopes
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–7
developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria
Images courtesy of Nadiatalent and by Elaine Mills (foliage), Long Branch Nature Center and Park, VA](https://i0.wp.com/mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Crataegus_crus-galli.2024.1.jpg?resize=612%2C1008&ssl=1)
Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic
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Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn)
While this native* member of the rose family is found naturally in clearings, glades, woodland borders, and roadsides, it is a tough, adaptable tree that does well in urban settings. Its name refers to its long (2–4”) thorns,** which are said to resemble the spurs of a cock.
*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC and MD. Its status is undetermined in DE. It is scattered in southern PA, mostly concentrated in the southeast corner. It is frequent to common in the mountains and infrequent eastward in VA. In NoVA, it is native to Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
**Thorns can cause significant injury. The variety Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis is thornless as is its cultivar ‘Cruzam’ CRUSADER® that also claims resistance to rust on fruits.
Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets