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| ## brainerd's hawthorn {#brainerds-hawthorn .Title-Header}            |
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| *Crataegus brainerdii* Sarg.                                          |
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| Plant Symbol = CRBR3                                                  |
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##### *Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

### Uses![](media/image2.png){width="2.5944444444444446in" height="3.2402777777777776in"}

*Erosion Control*: Because it tolerates a wide variety of sites, it can
be planted to stabilize banks, for shelterbelts, and for erosion
control.

*Timber*: Although the wood is hard and strong, it has no commercial
value except for tool handles and other small items.

*Wildlife*: It provides excellent cover and nesting sites for many
smaller birds. The small fruits are eaten by birds, rodents and other
smaller mammals. White tailed deer browse the young twigs and leaves.

*Beautification*: Excellent for environmental plantings including small
specimen tree, shrub border.

### Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

## 

### Description

Shrub or small tree that grows to thirty feet tall and seven inches in
diameter at breast height, with thorns 1.2-1.6 inches along the
branchlets. Leaves are broadest near the base, sometimes triangular
shaped, shallowly lobed, hairy at first becoming smooth at maturity.
Flowers in clusters of three to fifteen. Fruits are globe-shaped to
broadest above the mid-section, usually bright red with juicy flesh.

*Description*: Brainerd's hawthorn is a native to Quebec and New England
to North Carolina and west to Michigan.

### Adaptation

## Although *Crataegus brainerdii* will succeed in partial shade and different soil types, it grows best in full sunlight, well-drained loamy soils. Brainerd's hawthorn will tolerate wet soils becoming drought tolerant once established. It is also wind tolerant making it a good tree species in shelterbelt planting. It is also tolerant of atmospheric pollution and performs well in urban settings.

### Establishment

*Propagation from Seed or Grafting*: Brainerd's hawthorn can be
propagated by either seeds or grafting. Successful propagation using
seeds requires acid scarification followed by warm stratification and
prechilling. Seeds, whose numbers per lb. varies with species, are
planted early in the fall, in drill rows eight to twelve inches apart
and covered with 1/4 inch of soil. Seedlings must not be kept in the
nursery longer than a year.

Containerized trees should be planted when they are no more than eight
feet tall, in the fall or spring. Balled and burlapped trees should be
planted in early spring.

Grafting on seedling stock of *Crataegus oxyacantha* or *Crataegus
monogyna* is best carried out in the winter to early spring.

### Management

Pruning should be done in the winter or early spring in order to
maintain a clear shoot leader on young trees and/or remove the weakest
branches to allow more light to pass through. Suckers or stems arising
from the roots should be removed when they become noticeable.

## 

### Pest and Potential Problems

Although pests and diseases seldom affect it, it is susceptible to
fireblight, cedar-hawthorn rust, cedar-quince rust, leaf blight and
fruit rot, and leaf spot.

## 

### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Consult your local nurseries to choose the right cultivar for your
specific landscape. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation
Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more
information. Look in the phone book under "United States Government."
The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the
subheading "Department of Agriculture."

### References

Britton, N.L. & A. Brown 1913. *An illustrated flora of the northern
United States, Canada and the British possessions*. Charles Scribner's
Sons, New York, New York. Scanned by Kentucky Native Plant Society and
made available through PLANTS.

Dirr, M.A. 1990. *Manual of woody landscape plants: their
identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and
uses*. 3^rd^ ed. Stipes, Champaign, Illinois.

Duncan, W.H. & M.B. Duncan 1988. *Trees of the Southeastern United
States.* University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia.

Elias, T.S. 1989. *Field guide to North American trees*. Revised ed.
Grolier Book Clubs Inc., Danbury, Connecticut.

Flint, H.L. 1983. *Landscape plants for eastern North America*. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc, New York, New York.

Harrar, E.S. & J.G. Harrar. 1962. *Guide to southern trees*. 2^nd^ ed.
Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York.

Little, E.E. 1996. *National Audubon Society field guide to North
American trees: Eastern region*. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York.

USDA Forest Service 1974. *Seeds of woody plants in the United States*.
Agricultural Handbook 450. USDA, Washington, DC.

USDA Forest Service 1990. *Silvics of North America*. Agricultural
Handbook 654. Forest Service, USDA, Washington, DC.

Young, J. A. & C.G. Young. 1992. *Seeds of woody plants in North
America*. Revised and enlarged ed. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon.

### Prepared By

*Alfredo B. Lorenzo*

Formerly, Southern University and A&M College, College of Agricultural,
Family and Consumer Sciences

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

### Species Coordinator

## *Lincoln M. Moore*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Edited: 09jan02 jsp;31jan03ahv; 09jun03 ahv; 05jun06 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*