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Common Trees 



THE HAWTHORNS— Crataegus 



THE HAWTHORNS comprise a big group of small trees. 

 There are more than 30 common species. If one ob- 

 serves their flowers and fruit it is easy to see that they are 

 closely related to the apples, plums, and peaches. The most 

 distinctive feature of their make-up is their stiff thorns on 

 the zigzag branches. 



COCKSPUR THORN 

 One-fourth natural size. 



Two common Hawthorns are the Cockspur Thorn and 

 the Scarlet Thorn. The Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus crus- 

 galli, Linnaeus) may be recognized by its long, usually un- 

 branched, chestnut brown thorns, its inversely ovate leaves, 

 and its small nearly spherical buds. The white flowers are 

 grouped in round-topped clusters, and the bright apple-like 

 scarlet fruit persists far into winter. This small tree is com- 

 mon locally in New York especially in sandy soil in the 

 central counties. 



The Scarlet Hawthorn (Crataegus coccinea, Linnaeus) 

 can be recognized by its ovate leaves, and its round, reddish- 

 brown fruit. Both the leaves and the fruit show a tendency 

 to be hairy. The leaves are 5 to 9-lobed, often deep-deft 

 and finely-toothed along the margin. The nearly round 

 chestnut-brown buds and the slender, straight thorns are also 

 helpful in recognizing this small tree, which is found in 

 meadow pastures, abandoned fields, and waste places across 

 New York south of the Adirondacks. Its abundant bloom, 

 rich scarlet fruit, and attractive autumnal foliage recommend 

 it highly for ornamental planting. 



