Hawthorn — Downy
Crataegus mollis
Hawthorn — Downy (Crataegus mollis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 25–30 ft tall and 20–25 ft wide, and needs low to medium water. Rust.
low to medium water25–30 ft tall and 20–25 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Crataegus mollis
- Variety / cultivar
- Downy
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 25–30 ft tall and 20–25 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & Diseases
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 Hawthorn — Downy good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Hawthorn — Downy is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Hawthorn — Downy get?
- It matures to about 25–30 ft tall and 20–25 ft wide.
- How much water does Hawthorn — Downy need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Hawthorn — Downy native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
