Crusader Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli 'Crusader'
Planted 2008
This is a thornless variety of Cockspur hawthorn that possesses all the good features of the species. It is a dense, low-branched, broad-rounded tree, native from Quebec to North Carolina. It grows well in average, well-drained soils in full sun.
| Height | Width | Zone | Growth Rate | Water Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft. | 25 ft. | 4-7 | Slow - Medium | Medium |
Leaf
Lustrous dark green in
summer; bronze-red
to purple-red in fall.
Fruit
Showy, deep red
pome-like fruit that
persist late into the
fall but drop before it
snows. Edible but
best left for the birds.
Flower
White flowers that
bloom in May have a
“fishy” odor because
of the chemical
trimethylamine.
Advantages
This thornless form is
generally considered
to be a superior
landscape tree for
lawns or open
wooded areas.
Disadvantages
Susceptible to cedar-
hawthorn and cedar-
quince rusts and
fireblight.