Black Hawthorn

Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) is a deciduous, thicket-forming shrub or small tree that grows anywhere from 20-40 feet tall. It is a common plant in Oregon and Washington on both sides of the Cascades, growing in moist, well-drained soils.

Leaves are 1½ -3 inches long and up to 1½ inches wide, doubly serrated, ovate, and sometimes lobed. Small white flowers bloom in clusters from late spring to early summer. The small, oval fruits are purple-black when ripe, ¼ to ½ inch in size.  This attractive tree turns yellow, orange, and red in fall.

Black hawthorn is an important species for wildlife, providing protected nesting and edible fruits for birds and other small wildlife.  The young of gray hairstreak and mourning cloak butterflies feed on black hawthorn, and the flowers attract many native bees.  

Please note: even the young, bare root trees may have large, sharp thorns on their branches.