Crataegus douglasii

The genus, Crataegus, or Hawthorn, includes many different species and varieties that are distributed though out North America. Crataegus douglasii, or Douglass Hawthorn, is a large shrub or small tree, about 25 feet high, with long, straight thorns, dense clusters of white flowers, and bearing eadible fruit in the fall. It is native to wetlands, open moist places, meadows, and along streams in the Pacific Northwest.

Easy to grow, the Douglass Hawthorn prefers well-drained loam, but is not fussy. It can do well in moist soils, tolerates drought and heavy clay soils. For best fruit production, site the tree in full sun. The plant will grow in semi-shade, though fruit yields will be lower. When grown from seed, trees take 5 to 8 years before they start bearing fruit. The flowers have a smell somewhat like decaying fish, which attracts midges, the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have a more pleasant scent. Over time, the plant will sucker to form a thicket; if necessary, you can control the plant with pruning in late winter.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

Susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust, cedar-quince rust, fireblight, fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers and apple scab are occasional problems. Insect pests include borers, caterpillars, lace bugs, leaf miners and scale.