Species Name: Hawthorn - Crataegus monogyna

How to recognise

The hawthorn is one of the plant world’s most familiar harbingers of spring when its fragrant blossom bursts forth during late April and May. The blossom follows the emergence of the bright green, lobed leaves during late March and April. The trunk comprises hard wood which in young trees is smooth and ash-gray but in older trees becomes gnarled and darker.

Where to see

Hawthorn is a native small tree and grows abundantly throughout the British Isles. In Norfolk it can be found in all districts and in all habitats and is probably the most common small tree because of its widespread use as roadside and farmland hedging. Hawthorn is also found throughout Europe, North Africa and into further eastwards into Asia.   

The most famous Norfolk hawthorn can be found at the NWT Hethel Old Thorn (at 0.025 ha.one of the smallest nature reserves in the UK). This particular tree is over 700 years old and used to have a trunk circumference of 4 metres.

When to see

Hawthorns are most attractive when flowering or fruiting. The abundant white flowers, produced in late April and May, have round petals which fade to a pinky hue. They produce a sweet, heady fragrance which travels some distance attracting a wide variety of pollinating insects. The fruit, or haw, produced in autumn  is slightly oblong and bright red. These fruits act as a magnet for many resident and migrant bird species. On the Norfolk coast hawthorn bushes can seem alive with migrant thrushes and warblers during October when incoming or weather-driven birds stock up with the fleshy berries before moving further south.

Conservation status in Norfolk

Not threatened

How to help

Hawthorn is traditionally used in mixed hedges so why not plant one or two in your garden, aswell as increasing hawthorn numbers they are also one of the best plant species to attract other wildlife into the garden.

Did you know?

The name ‘Hawthorn’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Hagathorn’ or ‘Haegthorn’ and refers to its use as hedging (Haga meaning hedge). The scientific name 'Crataegus' derives from the Greek 'kratos' meaning 'strong' relating to the hardness of the wood.

Finding out more

Hedgerowmobile
Natural England

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