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| ## black hawthorn {#black-hawthorn .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Crataegus douglasii* Lindl.                                          |
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| Plant Symbol = CRDO2                                                  |
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##### *Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

### Alternative Name

Douglas hawthorn

## 

### Uses

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

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

*Wildlife*: It provides abundant food and cover for game birds such as
the blue and sharp-tailed grouse. The mule deer, small mammals and other
wildlife species feed on the leaves and twigs of young seedlings or
trees. Livestock readily eats its leaves if accessible.

*Beautification*: Ideal for biological barriers between recreational
areas and physical structures.

# 

### 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

It is a large shrub or small tree that can grow to thirty-five feet
tall, with straight, strong but few thorns ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch
long. Stems are usually clustered from the base or from a point just
above the ground surface. Leaves are smooth, long, broad, dark green,
shiny, and serrated at the tip. Flowers are globe-shaped and in small
clusters produced in the spring. Its fruits are dark reddish-purple to
black.

*Distribution*: *Crataegus douglasii*, black hawthorn, is widespread in
the Pacific Northwest, from southeastern Alaska south through British
Columbia to northern California.

### Adaptation

Black hawthorn generally occurs on deep, moist, fine-textured soils, at
lower elevations ranging from 2,200--5,400 ft. Although it will succeed
in partial shade and different soil types, it grows best in full
sunlight with sufficient moisture levels. It is predominantly an
understory species and seldom found in pure stands. It is fire tolerant
and will re-sprout and produce suckers following fire disturbance.

### Establishment

## *Propagation from Seed or Grafting*: Black hawthorn can be propagated by either seeds or grafting. To increase percent germination, seeds require acid scarification for 0.5 to 3 hours, followed by 84 to 112 days of cold treatment. Seeds are planted early in the fall, in drill rows 8 to 12 inches apart and covered with 1/4 inch of soil. Seedlings must not be kept in the nursery longer than a year. Approximate seed per pound: 22,600.

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

Because it develops long taproot, it should not be kept in seedbeds more
than one year. 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.
Limited agriculture/livestock can help maintain and protect black
hawthorn thickets as important source of food and cover for wildlife.

## 

### Pest and Potential Problems

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

# 

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

Consult you local nurseries to choose the right cultivar for your
specific landscape. Seeds and seedlings are commercially available at
forest seed companies. 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

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 \"Fred\" B. Lorenzo*

Formerly Southern University and A&M College, College of Agricultural,
Family and Consumer Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70813

### Species Coordinator

##### *Lincoln M. Moore*

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

Edited: 10jan02 jsp; 25feb03 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/).*