Hawthorn Trees

One of the best native trees for wildlife, a single hawthorn tree can support hundreds of different insect species! Hawthorns are true four-season trees, with glossy foliage and masses of flowers to attract bees in May and June. Red haws appear in the autumn which are beloved by many different birds, including fieldfares and redwings.

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Meet Mike

Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe

Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.

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Which hawthorn tree is best for your garden?

Which hawthorn tree is best for your garden?

Hawthorns are famed for their blossom, and 'Crimson Cloud' is one of the best, with spectacular flowers turning from crimson red through pink to white, while 'Paul’s Scarlet' has deep red flowers and the 'Plena' gives you those familiar white clouds. For smaller gardens, we love the award-winning broad-leaved cockspur, which grows to just 5x4m. It’s also one of the best for fruit, with bright crimson haws that stick around well into winter. For autumn colour, the hybrid cockspur is hard to beat, with a glorious range of red, purple and orange leaves. Find the right hawthorn for you with our easy guide.

What grows well with hawthorns?

What grows well with hawthorns?

A hawthorn tree can be the focal point of your wildlife friendly garden or a companion for other beautiful native woodland trees like oaks, willows and rowans. This is also one of the best trees you can plant for native wildlife - bees love the flowers and birds come for the all-you-can-eat fruit buffet in autumn - the sharp thorns also give them a safe nesting place amongst its branches. For something equally wildlife-friendly but smaller, try a crabapple tree or explore more UK-native trees.

Growers' tips

Growers' tips

Hawthorn trees are able to thrive in any type of soil (even chalk) as long as it’s fertile and well-drained. You’ll get the best flowers by planting your hawthorn in full sun, but they grow perfectly well in partial shade, too. As hawthorn trees have naturally well-shaped canopies, they don't need much pruning. Simply check your tree in late winter or early spring and prune out any dead, damaged, diseased or crossing branches. Water your hawthorn tree well for the first few months, then during hot and dry weather for the first couple of years. After that, your established tree will have developed its drought tolerance and will get by on natural rainwater.

Hawthorn Trees FAQs

What month do hawthorn trees flower?

Hawthorn trees typically blossom in May, hence their popular alternative name – the May tree. In warmer conditions, they can sometimes flower as early as late April. In colder, more northerly climes, the flowering period might start later and finish in June.

What colour are hawthorn blossoms?

Hawthorn trees most commonly produce attractive white blossoms, however certain varieties, like ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ and ‘Crimson Cloud’, sport striking pink flowers.

Do you need to water hawthorn trees?

Hawthorn trees will benefit from regular watering for the tree’s first couple of growing seasons after planting. Beyond this, however, established hawthorn trees will only really need additional watering during hot, dry spells.

Do you need to feed hawthorn trees?

Hawthorn trees appreciate an early springtime feed with granular, slow-release general fertiliser around the base of the tree.

Do hawthorn trees have thorns?

Yes, hawthorn trees have spiny branches and twigs, which lend the tree the latter part of its common name (with haw referring to the berries it produces).

Is a hawthorn tree good for a small garden?

Hawthorn trees make an excellent choice for smaller gardens! They typically grow to between three and eight metres tall, making them an ideal pick for small to medium-sized gardens.

Are hawthorn trees beneficial to wildlife?

Undoubtedly among the best trees in terms of wildlife value, hawthorn trees attract a whole host of animals, including birds, insects and small mammals. In fact, they’re thought to support several hundred different species.

Are hawthorn trees deciduous or evergreen?

Hawthorn trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves over the winter.

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