How to identify a hawthorn tree
Tree Profiles > How to identify a hawthorn tree
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How do you identify a hawthorn tree?
Wondering if you are looking at a hawthorn tree? Your clues are their leaves, buds, flowers and fruit. Here’s what they look like at-a-glance:
Hawthorn tree facts
Hello! In today’s guide we are going to learn how to identify a hawthorn tree. Are you ready? Let’s get started! Here are a few hawthorn facts:
- Common name: Hawthorn
- Latin name: Crataegus spp
- Family: Rosaceae
Hawthorn trees can grow up to 15 meters tall, live for up to 700 years and can be found growing in woodlands and hedgerows.
Hawthorn leaves
Hawthorn leaves are small, toothed and have deep lobes.
Hawthorn buds
Their buds are non-descript, small, brown and rounded with prominent scales.
Hawthorn flowers
The flowers are scented, white in colour, have 5 petals and grow in clusters.
Hawthorn berries
The berries are round or slightly egg-shaped, small, deep red and grow in clusters.
Trees that look similar to hawthorn
Hawthorn berries
Whitebeam berries
Whitebeam
Whitebeam berries look aimilar to hawthorn, but are longer and more orangey-red in colour. The leaves can also look similar but are thicker, bigger and not so deeply lobed.
Hawthorn tree uses
- Medicinal – Hawthorn has traditionally been used as a physical and emotional heart tonic.
- Bushcraft – Both the leaves, flowers and berries can be eaten.
- Wildlife – Hawthorn trees support a wide variety of insects, animals, birds and lichen.
- Dyes – Hawthorn berries produce a lovely soft, light brown dye.