Crataegus pruinosa aka Frosted Hawthorn

Crataegus pruinosa is known as frosted or waxy-fruited hawthorn. This small, deciduous tree belongs to the rose family. It grows wild in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Its range also reaches the north-central United States. Look for it along woodland edges, streams, and roadsides. It also grows on rocky slopes and in thickets. Its form varies across its range.

The tree reaches about 20 feet [6.1 metres] tall. Its wide, uneven branches can form a dense, many-stemmed crown. Thin, gray bark grows rough and scaly with age. Smooth, red-brown young twigs often follow a zigzag course. Straight thorns reach about 0.21 feet [0.064 metres] long. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They are oval to roughly triangular, with pale undersides. Their edges have shallow lobes and two sizes of teeth. The leaf tips are broad points, and the bases are rounded.

White flowers open from April to May in small corymbs. Each flower has five petals and usually pink anthers. Their unpleasant scent draws midges that help pollinate them. The fruits ripen in fall and turn red to purple. A pale wax coating gives them a frosted look. Each small pome holds three to five hard pyrenes. The sweet, yellow flesh can be eaten fresh or cooked. Uses include pies, preserves, and dried fruit for later use.

Grow this hawthorn in USDA zones 4–8. Full sun gives the best fruit crop. It also grows in part shade, with fewer fruits. It prefers moist soil that drains well. Loam, clay, and sandy soils can all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline ground. Established plants cope with drought and spells of excess moisture. They withstand strong winds but fare poorly in salty coastal air. Growth is moderate, and routine care needs are low. Seed-grown trees may take five to eight years to fruit.

Use it as a hedge, thorny barrier, or naturalized tree. Flowers supply nectar, while leaves feed moth and butterfly larvae. Birds and mammals eat the winter fruits. The thorny crown also shelters nesting birds from predators. Cedar-apple rust can stain leaves and reduce their vigor. The hard, heavy wood suits handles and other small items. Leaves, flowers, and fruit have recorded use in heart remedies. This records traditional use, not proof of a treatment. NC State lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Its long thorns remain a physical hazard.