Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Plant Select®.
low to medium water20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Crataegus crus-galli
- Variety / cultivar
- Cockspur var. inermis
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Spreading
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
- Tolerates
- Hellstrips / parking strips
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & DiseasesMain pressure here is Fireblight and Cedar-hawthorn rust, so keep it vigorous with steady water and a well-chosen site.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Fireblight
- Cedar-hawthorn rust
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide.
- How much room does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn need?
- Give Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn grow into?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn typically grows into a wide, spreading habit, broader than it is tall, give it room and keep it back from buildings. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn is hardy in USDA 4–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn grow?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn live?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn turn in fall?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn deer-resistant?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn a good firewise plant near the house?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Cockspur var. inermis Hawthorn can be affected by fireblight and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
