English Hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata
English Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) 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 18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fireblight susceptibility, choose disease-resistant cultivars.
medium water18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 2: (c) anemoneprojectors, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Bloom color
- white
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is English Hawthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, English Hawthorn is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does English Hawthorn get?
- It matures to about 18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does English Hawthorn need?
- Give English Hawthorn about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does English Hawthorn grow into?
- English Hawthorn typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is English Hawthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- English Hawthorn is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does English Hawthorn need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does English Hawthorn grow?
- English Hawthorn is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does English Hawthorn live?
- English Hawthorn has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does English Hawthorn turn in fall?
- English Hawthorn turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is English Hawthorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is English Hawthorn deer-resistant?
- English Hawthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is English Hawthorn prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- English 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.
