Cockspur Hawthorn

Cockspur hawthorn is a small tree that develops a rounded crown with a very horizontal branching structure. "Cockspur" refers to the 2 to 4 inch long, reddish-brown, slightly curved thorns that cover the tree.

In spring, it produces white flowers arranged in single, flat-topped clusters. Although beautiful to the eye, under the right weather conditions the flowers can have a slightly unpleasant odor.

Its leaves are a shiny, dark green color in the summer, followed by red, yellow, and gold tones in fall. The fruit is yellow to start, turning red and persisting into fall.

Cockspur hawthorn provides four seasons of interest. It has attractive flowers, and the bark and thorns are also pleasing (especially in winter). Its fall color and fruit add further ornamental value as well.

 

Cockspur Hawthorn

Cockspur hawthorn is a small tree that develops a rounded crown with a very horizontal branching structure. "Cockspur" refers to the 2 to 4 inch long, reddish-brown, slightly curved thorns that cover the tree.

In spring, it produces white flowers arranged in single, flat-topped clusters. Although beautiful to the eye, under the right weather conditions the flowers can have a slightly unpleasant odor.

Its leaves are a shiny, dark green color in the summer, followed by red, yellow, and gold tones in fall. The fruit is yellow to start, turning red and persisting into fall.

Cockspur hawthorn provides four seasons of interest. It has attractive flowers, and the bark and thorns are also pleasing (especially in winter). Its fall color and fruit add further ornamental value as well.

 

Plant details
bar-chart-01
Botanic Name

Crataegus crus-galli

bar-chart-01
Pronunciation

krah-TEE-gus krus-GAL-ee

bar-chart-01
Mature Height

20 to 30 ft.

bar-chart-01
Mature Spread

20 to 30 ft.

bar-chart-01
Water usage
Water Usage

One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.

Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.

Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.

bar-chart-01
Flower Color

white

bar-chart-01
Bloom time

late spring to early summer

bar-chart-01
Colorado Native

No

bar-chart-01
Natural Habitat

eastern United States

bar-chart-01
Light Requirements

sun

bar-chart-01
Cold Hardiness

USDA zones 4-7

bar-chart-01
Elevation Limit

hardy to 8,000 ft.

View more plants

Amur Maple
Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

Learn more about the Amur Maple
Red Maple
Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Learn more about the Red Maple
Caddo Maple
Caddo Maple

Acer saccharum 'Caddo'

Learn more about the Caddo Maple
Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
Hot Wings Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum 'GarAnn'

Learn more about the Hot Wings Tatarian Maple
Tatarian Maple
Tatarian Maple

Acer tataricum

Learn more about the Tatarian Maple
Arizona Cypress
Arizona Cypress

Callitropsis arizonica

Learn more about the Arizona Cypress
Western Catalpa
Western Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

Learn more about the Western Catalpa
Hackberry
Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Learn more about the Hackberry
Turkish Filbert
Turkish Filbert

Corylus colurna

Learn more about the Turkish Filbert
Russian Hawthorn
Russian Hawthorn

Crataegus ambigua

Learn more about the Russian Hawthorn