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Thornless cockspur hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis

Common names:
thornless cockspur hawthorn

Content Detail

This variety of cockspur hawthorn has thornless stems. It displays beautiful white flowers in spring and persistent fruit in fall and winter.

  • Family (English) Rose
  • Family (botanic) Rosaceae
  • Planting site City parkway, 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 20-35 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Road salt, Wet sites
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Broad, Round
  • Growth rate Moderate
  • Transplants well No
  • Wildlife Game birds, Migrant birds, Nesting birds, Songbirds
  • Has cultivars NA

Native geographic location and habitat: 

Thornless cockspur hawthorn is a naturally occurring variety of a native species. C value=2.

Bark color and texture: 

The bark is rough and slightly shaggy with age. 

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture: 

The simple, alternate leaves are 1 to 4 inches long. They are dark, glossy green, rounded at the tip and narrow at the base. Fall color is purplish.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

Flowers are unpleasantly scented. The small creamy white flowers form in broad, flat clusters and appear in late spring.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: 

This tree yields persistent red fruits (pomes).

Photo Gallery (3)

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