Crataegus crus-galli aka Cockspur Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli, or cockspur hawthorn, belongs to the rose family. This tree loses its leaves each fall. It grows wild across eastern North America. Its range runs from Quebec south to North Carolina. It also reaches Minnesota, Kansas, and eastern Texas. Garden trees reach 20–30 feet [6.1–9.1 metres] in height. Some sources give a wider range of 15–35 feet [4.6–10.7 metres]. The crown spreads as wide as the tree grows tall, sometimes wider.

Dense branches stretch outward and form a broad, rounded crown. The plant can also grow as a large shrub. Its bark has a gray and brown tone. Sharp thorns grow along the stems and can cause injury. Older thorns may reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] long. The leaves grow one at a time along each stem. Each leaf has a simple blade with a narrow base. Teeth line the edges above that base. Both sides lack hairs, and the upper surface shines dark green. Fall brings shades of bronze, orange, red, and purple.

White flowers open in flat clusters called corymbs. Bloom falls in May, though some gardens report May through June. The flowers have a strong smell that some find unpleasant. Each bloom has pink anthers and ten stamens. Small red pomes ripen in September and October. They remain on the branches through late fall, sometimes into spring. People can eat the fruit raw or cook it. Its dry flesh suits jelly better than fresh eating. Large seeds take up much of the fruit's centre.

Give this hawthorn full sun and soil that drains well. It accepts many soil types and a wide pH range. It also tolerates light shade and some drought. Sources place it in USDA zones 3–7. Oregon State advises a sheltered site in zone 3. Its growth rate ranges from slow to moderate across sources. Gardeners use it as a specimen, screen, or hedge. It regrows after hard cuts into old wood. Insects visit the flowers for nectar. Birds gain nesting cover among the thorny branches. The tree also hosts several kinds of butterfly larvae.

Disease and pests can limit its use in gardens. Fire blight, rusts, mildew, and leaf spots can affect it. Aphids, scale, borers, leafminers, and mites may also occur. Sources disagree about its resistance to hawthorn rust. Keep its sharp thorns away from children's play areas. NC State lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Plants For A Future reports no known toxic hazards.