Hawthorn, Lavalle
Crataegus x lavallei
Rosaceae - Rose
Description
Leaves: Alternate; simple; elliptic to obovate; 2" to 4" long and half as wide; deciduous; upper 2/3's of margin serrate with no lobes; shiny dark green and glabrous above when mature; densely, finely pubescent beneath, especially on veins; thick; stay on late in fall and turn dark purple or brown.
Twigs/buds: Twigs stout; greenish, with many hairs at first, turning glabrous and gray-green as they age; thorns are fairly short and stout; may have buds; relatively few thorns present.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, white, 3/4" diameter, similar to C. douglasii. Fruit fairly large; a 5/8" to 3/4" diameter pome, bright orange-red when mature, somewhat glossy; persistent into winter.
Bark: Similar to other Crataegus species: dark red to grayish; shreddy, scaly or sometimes blocky when young; weakly furrowed, ridged, scaly, and often fluted or knotted when older.
Wood: Likely similar to other Crataegus species: heartwood reddish-brown, sapwood light-colored; hard, heavy; diffuse-porous, close-grained; used to make handles for tools and canes.
General: A hybrid of C. crusgalli and probably C. pubescens. Maybe not as tough as some other hawthorns, though pH adaptable. Shade intolerant. Thorns or spines that can be dangerous; use thornless varieties if possible.
Landscape Use: A small, dense-canopyed tree with an often lop-sided appearance. It has nice flowers, attractive fruit, and dark-green leaves. Though supposedly cold-hardy, I have seen what appears to be cold damage on these trees in Logan. Zones 4-8.
Cultivars: 'Lavalle'.
Characteristics
General
Family | Rosaceae - Rose |
---|---|
Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | Medium |
---|---|
Mature Height | Low |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
Crown Shapes | Irregular |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
---|---|
Fall Color | Yes |
Flowers | Yes |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
---|---|
Salt | Medium |
Drought | High |
Poor Drainage | Medium |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | Medium |