MIDLAND HAWTHORN – Crataegus laevigata: [ 23 & 51 ]
Grows to 8m with brown-grey bark that has knots and fissures. Twigs are covered in thorns and dark green leaves have 3 lobes and are up to 6cm long. The flowers can be creamy-white, pink or red with 5 petals. They contain both male and female parts and appear mid-April in clusters. Pollinated by insects the flowers become red fruits called haws which contain two seeds. The haws are eaten by birds and some mammals. The dense tree is also a good place to nest. A popular hedging plant the wood is very hard and used for handles and walking sticks. The haws are used in jellies, chutneys and wine.
Grows to 8m with brown-grey bark that has knots and fissures. Twigs are covered in thorns and dark green leaves have 3 lobes and are up to 6cm long. The flowers can be creamy-white, pink or red with 5 petals. They contain both male and female parts and appear mid-April in clusters. Pollinated by insects the flowers become red fruits called haws which contain two seeds. The haws are eaten by birds and some mammals. The dense tree is also a good place to nest. A popular hedging plant the wood is very hard and used for handles and walking sticks. The haws are used in jellies, chutneys and wine.
