cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli)

First place champion thornless cockspur hawthorn in Denver.

Species info:

Leaves: Thick, dark green, glossy leaves; simple, alternately arranged. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange and can be quite showy.

Leaflets: None (simple leaves).

Leaf Surface: Smooth, thick, and glossy with a firm texture; margins finely serrated.

Bark: Gray-brown; becomes flaky with age as plates separate along the trunk and major limbs.

Twigs: Reddish-brown when young; becoming gray with age. This variety is thornless, unlike the species which bears 1½–3 inch thorns.

Flowers: Creamy white clusters (corymbs) appearing in late spring; simple 5-petaled flowers. Blooms are abundant but have an unpleasant odor typical of many hawthorns.

Fruit: Dull red pomes up to ½ inch in diameter; produced prolifically and persisting into the fall. Fruit drop can be significant and messy in high-use areas.

Botanical: Crataegus crus-galli

Family: Rosaceae

Mature Height: ~20 feet

Canopy Spread: ~20 feet; broad, horizontally layered structure

Foliage Type: Deciduous broadleaf

Flower: Showy

Fruit: Ornamental

Fall Color: Red to purple

Tree Shape: Densely branched, rounded form with strong horizontal branching; compact ornamental habit

Growth Rate: Moderate; typically 6–10 inches of new growth per year once established

Water Use: Low to moderate; drought tolerant after establishment

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–7

Soil Preference: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including clay and alkaline conditions; prefers well-drained sites

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Wildlife Value: Fruit persists into fall and provides food for birds and small mammals

Wood: Dense and hard, typical of hawthorns; provides structural durability

Pests/Pathogens: Some resistance to foliar rusts; generally free of significant insect issues

Planting Recommendations: Recommended for most sites. Consider ‘inermis’ variety if thorns are a concern.

Information Sources:

• Front Range Tree Recommendation List

• Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)