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Landscape Tree · Deciduous landscape tree

Washington Hawthorn ×2

Crataegus phaenopyrum

SpringFall

⚠ Thorns — a real hazard. Keep away from the pool area and garden paths.

Washington Hawthorn ×2 — Young Young
Seedling / just planted

Close-up of Washington hawthorn twigs at spring bud break, tiny fresh leaves unfurling next to sharp thorns on bare bark.

Photo: Photo by David J. Stang· CC BY-SA 4.0

Washington Hawthorn ×2 — Growing Growing
Established, filling in

Leafy young hawthorn branch with glossy toothed leaves and a single small green (unripe) fruit forming, before autumn color and full fruit set.

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz· CC BY-SA 4.0

Washington Hawthorn ×2 — Full grown Full grown
What you’re aiming for

Bare hawthorn branch loaded with clusters of bright red fruit against a blue autumn sky, thorns visible along the stem.

Photo: Cillas· CC BY-SA 4.0

Growing stages

What to look for, and what to do, at each point in its life

Your two Washington hawthorns are dense, round-headed trees to 25-30 feet with slender 1-3 inch thorns, the last hawthorn to flower with dense clusters of creamy-white blooms in late spring followed by small fruit that ripens to bright red and often persists into winter; because the thorns are a real hazard, both the trees' placement and any pruning around them need extra care and heavy gloves.

  1. 1

    Establishment Years

    First 2-3 growing seasons after planting

    You'll see Young reddish-brown to gray-brown twigs already carry sharp 1-3 inch thorns even while the tree is small.

    Do Water deeply once or twice a week, maintain a mulch ring, and keep the area around the young tree's base clear of foot traffic given the thorns.

  2. 2

    Dormant Structure and Thorn-Aware Pruning

    December through February, while leafless

    You'll see The dense, rounded crown and thorny branch structure are fully visible without leaves.

    Do Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Always wear heavy gloves and protective clothing when working near this tree.

  3. 3

    Bud Break

    March into April

    You'll see Fresh leaves unfurl next to the sharp thorns on bare bark.

    Do No action needed; avoid working near the tree without gloves even at this stage, since the thorns are present on the previous year's growth.

  4. 4

    Late Bloom

    May into June

    You'll see Dense clusters of creamy-white flowers cover the tree - this is the last hawthorn species to flower each spring.

    Do Enjoy the bloom; avoid pruning now.

  5. 5

    Fruit Set

    June into August

    You'll see Small green fruit (haws) form among the glossy, toothed leaves.

    Do No action needed; let the fruit develop.

  6. 6

    Fall Color and Fruit Ripening

    September into November

    You'll see Foliage shows orange-red tones and the small haws ripen to bright red or orange.

    Do Enjoy the display; no pruning needed.

  7. 7

    Winter Fruit Persistence

    December through February

    You'll see Clusters of red fruit often continue hanging on the bare, thorny branches.

    Do Leave the fruit for birds; this also returns to the dormant structure check for any needed light, protected pruning.

Techniques — transplant, prune, propagate, divide, seed

Sun

Full sun to part shade by species

Water

Deep weekly water through the first 1–2 establishment years.

Spacing

Plant for mature size and clearance.

Feeding

Minimal once established.

Care

  • Water deeply while establishing; mulch the root zone (keep mulch off the trunk).
  • See the plant's note for species-specific hazards (e.g. Washington Hawthorn thorns).

Harvest

Ornamental — grown for form, bloom, and shade.

Watch for

Establishment drought stress; site thorny species away from paths and the pool.