English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata
English: Crimson Cloud 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
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Crataegus laevigata
- Variety / cultivar
- English: Crimson Cloud
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- 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
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, English: Crimson Cloud 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: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn get?
- It matures to about 18–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn need?
- Give English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn grow into?
- English: Crimson Cloud 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: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- English: Crimson Cloud 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: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn grow?
- English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn live?
- English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn turn in fall?
- English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn deer-resistant?
- English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is English: Crimson Cloud Hawthorn prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- English: Crimson Cloud 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.
