The Washington Hawthorne tree, Crataegus Phaenopyrum, is a broadly oval to rounded, dense, thorny tree. The foliage is a reddish purple when unfolding and gradually changing to lustrous dark green at maturity. Fall color varies from orange to scarlet to purplish. Flowers are white and ½” diameter. Fruit is a bright glossy red.
Washington Hawthorne trees holds its fruit on the tree and it is an excellent wildlife species and can be used as a specimen, hedge or screen. Plant 4-6’ apart in the row for a hedge. It has low water requirements and shows a high tolerance to salt and alkali soils. The tree flowers in early spring with a profusion of white blossoms. After frost, the leaves turn a beautiful scarlet color.