Downy hawthorn has the typical white flowers and red fruit of hawthorns, but is not always as thorny as other species. A beautiful native tree, but one which is prone to the cedar rust diseases. This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Rose
- Family (botanic) Rosaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks, Wide median
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Small tree (15-25 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet)
- Mature height 20-30 feet
- Mature width 20-40 feet
- Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
- Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
- Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Wet sites
- Season of interest mid spring, late spring, late summer, early fall, mid fall
- Flower color and fragrance White
- Shape or form Broad, Round
- Growth rate Moderate
- Transplants well No
- Planting considerations Dangerous thorns, May be difficult to find in nurseries, Messy fruit/plant parts
- Wildlife Game birds, Insect pollinators, Migrant birds, Nesting birds, Songbirds
- Has cultivars No
