Crataegus monogyna - Common Hawthorn Tree

Crataegus monogyna is a hardy and adaptable native tree offering white spring blossom, deeply lobed foliage, red autumn haws and outstanding habitat value.

It is an excellent choice for customers seeking a smaller native tree for an informal garden, rural landscape, meadow, orchard or ecological planting scheme.

Tree Highlights

• UK-native deciduous tree

• White blossom during late spring

• Red autumn haws

• Exceptional wildlife value

• Fully hardy

• Excellent tolerance of exposure

• Suitable for clay and chalk

• Moderate to fast growth when young

• More compact than many native canopy trees

• Available in different forms and sizes

Tree Information

Feature / Details
Botanical name: Crataegus monogyna
Common names: Common hawthorn, quickthorn
Mature height: Approximately 6–10m
Mature spread: Approximately 4–8m
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowers: White clusters, usually May
Fruit: Red autumn haws
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Chalk, clay, loam or sand
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Wildlife value: Exceptional
Maintenance: Low to moderate

Choose This Tree If You Want

• A tough native specimen

• Spring blossom and autumn fruit

• A wildlife-friendly tree

• A tree for an exposed garden

• An informal, naturalistic crown

• Rural or traditional character

• A manageable alternative to oak or beech

• A tree suited to several soil types

It May Not Be the Best Choice If

• Thorns would be hazardous

• The tree would be immediately beside a play area

• Fallen fruit would affect pale paving or vehicles

• An evergreen tree is required

• The planting position is deeply shaded

• The ground remains permanently waterlogged

• A perfectly uniform formal crown is essential

Selecting Your Tree

Young bare-root or feathered hawthorn trees are economical and establish readily when planted during the dormant season.

Standards provide a defined stem and immediate tree shape. Multi-stem specimens create a broader, more naturalistic effect but require additional room for low thorny branches.

Larger trees provide greater immediate impact but need confirmed delivery access, anchoring and establishment irrigation.

See specimen tree sizes explained and mature trees versus younger trees before ordering.

Planting Requirements

Plant with the root flare level with the surrounding ground. Prepare a broad rooting area and avoid placing additional soil or mulch against the trunk.

Newly planted trees require:

• Suitable support or anchoring

• Regular watering

• A mulch-covered rooting area

• Grass and weed control

• Protection from rabbits, deer or livestock where necessary

• Periodic checks of stakes, ties and guards

Follow our tree planting and establishment guide.

For standards and larger trees, specialist specimen-tree delivery and planting is available across North West England.

Pruning and Maintenance

Once the required crown structure has formed, hawthorn needs relatively little routine pruning.

Remove dead, damaged, crossing or unsafe branches and avoid unnecessary hard cutting. Wear suitable gloves and eye protection because the branches are thorny.

Our RHS Pruning Group 1 guide provides general maintenance guidance.

Wildlife and Practical Considerations

The spring flowers support pollinating insects, while the autumn haws provide food for birds. The dense thorny crown also offers valuable nesting and shelter.

Avoid positioning low branches beside busy paths and collect thorny prunings carefully.

Fruit production varies naturally and should not be treated as guaranteed. Fallen haws may stain or become slippery on hard surfaces.

When We Wouldn’t Recommend It

We would not normally recommend common hawthorn immediately beside children’s play areas, narrow entrances or heavily used pedestrian routes.

It is also unsuitable where evergreen screening, a completely formal crown or consistently thorn-free growth is required.

Our Recommendation

Crataegus monogyna is one of the most useful native trees for wildlife-focused and rural planting.

A selected standard works well as a garden or lawn specimen. Feathered and multi-stem trees are particularly effective in meadows, woodland edges and naturalistic schemes.

Delivery and Professional Planting

We can install specimen trees at any of the in following postcodes;

BB, BL, CH1 - CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1 - LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1 - SK12, WA, & WN.

Please do not purchase if you want the hedging installed outside this area. If you do live outside the area, then please give us a call on 01942 604976 and we can see if it’s possible to do this.

For more information on the tree see the tree specification below. For more information about delivery, access and planting, see the guide below or click here.