Crataegus succulenta aka Succulent Hawthorn

Crataegus succulenta is a deciduous hawthorn in the rose family, Rosaceae. Its common names include fleshy hawthorn and round-fruited cockspur thorn. It comes from central and eastern Canada and parts of the United States. Its range includes western-central and eastern parts of that country. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in thickets, pastures, and along woodland edges. They often grow on dry or rocky ground.

Sources describe its form as both a shrub and a tree. It can reach about 20 feet [6 metres] tall. It flowers from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Midges pollinate the flowers. Plants raised from seed take five to eight years to bear fruit. This delay matters when planting it for a food crop. It suits woodland gardens, sunny edges, and sites with light shade.

The fruit has sweet, juicy flesh and can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried and stored for later use. It makes a useful crop for jelly. Reports differ on fruit size. One gives a width of about 0.7 inches, another about 1.4 inches. Small clusters hold the fruit described in the larger estimate. Each fruit has up to five fairly large seeds. These may cling together, forming what seems like one stone.

This hawthorn is easy to grow in a range of soils. It prefers loam that holds moisture but drains well. It also grows in sand, heavy clay, and chalk. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and very alkaline ground. Give it full sun for the best fruit crop. Light shade reduces both yield and fruit quality. Once established, it tolerates drought as well as very moist soil. It tolerates strong winds, but not exposure to sea winds. The listed USDA hardiness range is zones 4–8.

Its hard, heavy wood can serve for tool handles and mallets. It also suits other small wooden items that need tough material. PFAF reports no known hazards for this species. That statement does not establish safety for every use. The source lists no weed concern. Seed propagation can be slow, with uneven germination. Fresh seed sown in autumn may sprout the next spring. Much of it may wait another year.