Hawthorn

Wholesale Washington Hawthorn Trees in Michigan

From our farms in Michigan to your property, Washington Hawthorn trees add plentiful foliage with green-yellow leaves and distinctive bright bed berries. Cold Stream Farm is a proud supplier of retail and wholesale Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum), available for purchase as transplants or bare-root seedlings.

Our Washington Hawthorn Trees

Washington Hawthorn trees are great landscape features that provide ample coverage and sustenance for local and migrating animals. Blooming in the spring and bearing fruit in the fall, Washington Hawthorn trees are colorful and functional throughout all seasons.

Appearance and Size

Washington Hawthorn trees are predominantly recognized by their green berries that ripen into a bright red color each year in September and October. These berries are persistent, clinging tight to the trees through the winter season before eventually being eaten by grazing birds.

The flowers of a Washington Hawthorn tree are white and bloom in dense clusters each spring. When in bloom, the flowers give off a distinct smell, but typically only stick around for a week or so.

On average, Washington Hawthorn trees grown in ideal conditions will mature to be 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide. The leaves on a Washington Hawthorn begin as green in the summer and turn to different shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall.

Why are they called Washington Hawthorn Trees?

As implied by their common name, Washington Hawthorn trees (Crataegus phaenopyrum) have thorn-bearing branches with spikes of up to 3 inches. For this reason, occasionally, Crataegus phaenopyrum is known as the “Thornapple” tree.

These trees, however, are not native to the northwest state of Washington. Instead, Washington Hawthorn trees are native primarily east of the Mississippi River, in states like Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and Virginia.

Ideal Growing Conditions

In the wild, Washington Hawthorn trees grow on open ground, as well as in exposed areas of swamps and mountains. When grown intentionally, full sun is almost always necessary for a Washington Hawthorn to live a full, healthy life. In ideal conditions, Washington Hawthorn trees prefer moist, well-drained soils.

Wildlife Interaction

The berries grown on Washington Hawthorn trees are primarily eaten by waxwings, grouse, sparrows, and other songbirds. Beyond this, the berries may be eaten by squirrels and other small mammals. During its limited season, Washington Hawthorn flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and moths seeking nectar and pollen.

Uses for Washington Hawthorn Trees

Crataegus phaenopyrum is a very useful tree. Its wood is hard enough to be used in small-scale products for tools, crafts, and more. The dense logs chopped from Washington Hawthorn branches also make for great, slow-burning firewood with very little smoke.

Washington Hawthorn berries are edible and can be safely consumed by humans both raw or cooked. The mild-tasting berries can be prepared in teas, jellies, and other foods, but it is important to note that they may be poisonous to dogs.

Finally, Washington Hawthorn trees are often used to create land borders, with thick thorny trunks deterring deer and other unwanted guests. Oftentimes, the plants are placed and pruned intentionally to define a dense, even hedge.

Challenges to Consider

Unfortunately, the range of Washington Hawthorn is somewhat limited, and most suitable for USDA zones 4-8. Although it is possible to grow Crataegus phaenopyrum in Zone 3 or 9, the plants may not live to their full potential.

Washington Hawthorns may be subject to insects and pests such as aphids, mites, and leaf miners. Most trouble-making intruders can be washed away with a garden hose, fertilizer, or horticultural oil.

If you are planning to purchase Washington Hawthorn trees, be sure that your planting area receives full sunlight throughout the day. Despite their resilience, Washington Hawthorns cannot tolerate overly shady conditions.

Planting and Upkeep

Like many species of Hawthorn, mature Washington Hawthorn trees are drought resistant and able to survive in a wide variety of environments. Washington Hawthorns are very tolerant of urban pollution and require very little maintenance beyond seasonal hedge trimmings.

Fertilization is usually necessary for Washington Hawthorns to reach their maximum potential, but owners should be careful so as to not overdo it. It is recommended that adult plants are fertilized once every two years.

Timeline

From a seedling, a Washington Hawthorn tree will begin to flower about 3 years into its lifespan. From there, the tree will begin to bear edible fruit in an additional 2 to 3 years.

Washington Hawthorns grow very rapidly in their first few years but slow down upon maturity. Well-kept Hawthorns can live to be hundreds of years old.

Place your order today

Cold Stream Farm supplies retail and wholesale Washington Hawthorn trees from our home in Free Soil, Michigan. There is no minimum order for Washington Hawthorn trees in the United States with an increase in shipping cost to Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska. Buy online or contact us today.