Hawthorns are common to bottomlands and disturbed upland sites.
They are intolerant of shade and, though slow-growing, are aggressive invaders of pastures, prairies and abandoned fields near woods. They will grow in a variety of soils, but occur particularly on calcareous soils. Cedar hawthorn leaf rust is problematic to many hawthorn species. Hawthorns are native to North America, Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. They are native to Iowa and are planted throughout the state.