Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is one of our two native hawthorns. The rare Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is confined to ancient woodland in central England but more frequently seen everywhere in its cultivated forms in urban areas, parks and gardens.

Distribution

Throughout the UK.

Typical location

Hedgerows, fields and woodland.

Age

Hawthorn may live for 400 years, although 250 may be more typical on many sites.

Hawthorn will be chronologically ancient from 225 years onwards, although many will have ancient characteristics from around 175 years.

A veteran hawthorn must be mature and have visible and significant decay features, regardless of its size.

A notable hawthorn must be; mature, generally large for its species, a significant tree within the local landscape, or be of historical or cultural importance.

Size

Hawthorn can grow up to 2.5m plus in girth.

Record all mature hawthorn with significant decay regardless of its size.

It’s important to rely on characteristics rather than size, which is an unreliable indication of age. Most chronologically ancient hawthorn will be greater than 1.5m in girth but if growing within woodland, or if historically managed as a pollard, they may be no more than 1.25m in girth.

Ancient characteristics

• Major trunk cavities or progressive hollowing
• Decay holes
• Physical damage to trunk
• Bark loss
• Large quantities of dead wood in the canopy
• Crevices in the bark, under branches or on the root plate, sheltered from direct rainfall
• Fungal fruiting bodies (from heart rotting species)
• A high number of interdependent wildlife species
• Epiphytic plants

In addition the tree may have:

• A pollard form or show indications of past management
• Cultural or historic value
• Been part of a historic boundary, hedgerow (pre enclosures) or on a woodbank
• A prominent position in the landscape