Service life is 30-plus years. This hawthorn is vase-shaped, which is unusual in the hawthorns. This habit allows for foot traffic beneath the crown. The plant is less heavily armed than the Washington hawthorn. The white flowers are followed by red fruit that persist until early spring the following year.
Fruit is very attractive to birds such as robins and cedar waxwings.
Fall color is yellowish and more attractive than most hawthorns. Rust is a cosmetic problem with this plant. High prevailing winds tend to windthrow hawthorns in general. Service life is 25 years. Growth patterns vary somewhat by species.