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Midland hawthorn

As its name suggests, this tree is found in ancient woodlands and on very old hedge-banks on clay soil.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Woodland hawthorn Ske (Old Irish) Porn (Old Norse) Hag (Old English) Hagthorn Azzy Tree Holy Innocents' May Quickthorn May-Tree Whitethorn White-May Thorn-bush Quick Mother-die May (for blossom) Awes Asogs Azzies Aglets Agags Arzy-garzies Boojuns
Generic name	Hawthorn
Latin name	Crataegus laevigata
Family name	Rose
Latin family name	Rosaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	8-12m

Leaf

Description	Slightly glossy, almost hairless with shallow lobes. Main veins are straight or curved upwards
Shape	Lobed
Size	Up to 6cm
Colour	Dark green
Leaf stalk	Short stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Clustered/grouped flowers
Flower size	1.5cm
Flowering season	May
Tree/flower sex	Both sexes
Fruit colour	Ripens to dark red
Fruit season	August – September
Type of seed body	Fruit
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Brown with shallow scaling ridges
Twig Description	Slender twigs with thorns 1-2cm long along the length

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Common Hawthorn - these leaves are cut/lobed at least half way to mid-rib

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Southern and central England
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Most commonly found in ancient woods and old hedges on clay soils
What is its British conservation status?	Frequent

Additional information

Tree lore and folklore	This midland hawthorn is similar to common hawthorn and some writers believe that the negative superstitions surrounding hawthorn arose from confusion with this tree as the flowers smell nauseating and of rotten flesh. This is in comparison to common hawthorn whose flowers smell sweet

Midland Hawthorn

Midland Hawthorn leaf

Midland Hawthorn fruit

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees

©2012 The Woodland Trust