Washington Hawthorn

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Great fall color: orange, scarlet or purple fall
Preferred tree for songbirds
Grows 25' to 30' with 25' spread
Zones 4 to 8
Can't ship to: AK, AZ, HI, WA

Click icons for more information Show All Hide All

Zones 4 - 8

Hardiness Zones: Zones 4 - 8
The Washington Hawthorn can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

flowering tree

Type of tree:
The Washington Hawthorn falls into the following type(s): Flowering Trees, Ornamental Trees

25' - 30' High

Mature Height:
The Washington Hawthorn grows to be 25' - 30' feet in height.

25' Spread

Mature Spread:
The Washington Hawthorn has a spread of about 25' at full maturity.

Medium Growth

Growth Rate:
This tree grows at a medium growth rate. [More about this.]

Full Sun

Sun:
This hawthorn does well in full sun.

Various Soils

Soil:
The Washington Hawthorn grows in acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils.

Pyramidal Shape

Shape:
This hawthorn has pyramidal shape.

More Info

Attributes:
The Washington Hawthorn is a small, colorful tree that will brighten any landscape. Its pleasant display begins with reddish-purple leaves emerging in spring, then turning dark green as they are joined by a graceful display of white flowers. In autumn, the leaves turn orange, scarlet or purple. Red berries extend the colorful show into winter, often contrasting beautifully with the first winter snow. If left unpruned, its thorns make a very effective barrier.

Wildlife Value:
The Washington Hawthorn produces abundant fruit which are eaten by birds & mammals. It is an important nectar plant for bees.

History/Lore/Use:
First noted scientifically in 1883, the tree received its name from its point of origin when introduced to Pennsylvania from Washington, becoming known as the "Washington Thorn" because of its prominent thorns.

Moisture:
Drought resistant.

Leaves:
This tree's leaves are reddish-purple, changing to dark green, then orange, scarlet or purple.

Flower Color:
Showy white flowers

Bloom Time:
Late May to early June.

Fruit Description:
This tree produces a bright red fruit 1/4" in diameter. Very attractive to birds, with little or no litter as a result.

White flowers in early June start the color show. Reddish-purple leaves turn dark green, then orange, scarlet or purple. Small, glossy red fruits stay on tree into winter, and are preferred by songbirds. Grows to 25' to 30', with a 25' spread. (zones 4-8)

		Spring Shipping		Fall Shipping
Color	Zone	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline
	2	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	3	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	4	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	5	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	6	03/19–05/12	05/07	11/01–12/03	11/19
	7	03/11–05/07	04/30	11/05–12/10	11/26
	8	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	9	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	10	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26

We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, HI, WA , territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

	Standard		Dwarf
	Mature Height	Space Needed	Mature Height	Space Needed
Apple	20' - 25'	35' x 35'	10' **	10' x 10' ++
Peach	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
Sweet Cherry	30'	20' x 25'	12' - 15'	10' x 10'
Sour Cherry	20'	20' x 20'	8'	10' x 10'
Pear	20'	20' x 20'	12' - 15'	12' x 12'
Apricot	20'	20' x 20'
Plum	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
			** semi-dwarf 12' - 15' ++ semi-dwarf 12' x 12'

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

They are very affordable.
Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.
They are easy to plant at the correct depth.

The Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University has an interesting article about the benefits of planting natural root trees. Look for the PDF entitled Creating the Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method

Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.

If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.

We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

10 Free Trees

Tree Nursery