Hawthorns are pioneer invaders and do not persist in the woodlands, as they are killed by the shade of larger, climax forest trees. The leaves are broad, elliptic to obovate in outline with acute or short, acuminate tips. Leaves are medium green when mature and lighter-colored beneath. Later in the season, the hairs are confined to the veins of the leaf. Leaf margins are sharply double-toothed and often slightly lobed.
Leaves have four to five pairs of short, acute lobes.
The pome matures in August or September and has a mealy, sweet pulp. The branches are widespreading with numerous large, stout, and straight to slightly curved thorns. Frosted hawthorns are pioneer invaders and do not persist in the woodlands but are common in abandoned fields and fence rows, as are other hawthorns. Leaves generally have wedge-shaped bases. They have irregularly doubly toothed margins with four to five pairs of short, acute lobes.