Hawthorn
Crataegus x mordenensis
Hawthorn (Crataegus x mordenensis) 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 15–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade.
medium water15–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Crataegus x mordenensis
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Toba'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~15 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
- 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.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
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 Hawthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, 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 Hawthorn get?
- It matures to about 15–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide.
- How much room does Hawthorn need?
- Give Hawthorn about 15 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Hawthorn grow into?
- 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 Hawthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- 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 Hawthorn need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Hawthorn grow?
- Hawthorn is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Hawthorn live?
- Hawthorn has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Hawthorn turn in fall?
- Hawthorn turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Hawthorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Hawthorn deer-resistant?
- Hawthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Hawthorn prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- 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.
