Hawthorn Tree Care and Growing Tips:- The genus Crataegus contains the attractive ornamental tiny tree and shrub known as hawthorn, which is the ideal size for smaller environments. The tree bears charming small five-petalled blooms in the spring. This tree grows easily and is robust.
Hawthorn Tree Care and Growing Tips
Despite all of its advantages, growing the tree in your yard could have one significant drawback. Hawthorn trees have spines that can grow up to three inches long on some, but not all of them. Gardeners may now appreciate this genus’ beauty because some hawthorn tree varieties have been cultivated to be resistant to disease, insects, and developing thorns.
Planting a Hawthorn Tree
When to Plant
If you are interested in planting a hawthorn tree, the best time to do so is either in the early spring or in the early fall. Both of these times are ideal situations. To guarantee that the tree is successfully planted in the ground, it is crucial to select a period of year that is neither overly hot nor overly cold. This will allow for the tree to survive the planting process.
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Selecting a Placement Site
However, if you want your tree to have better blossoms, you should plant it in an area that receives full sun. However, the tree can also grow in a site that receives moderate shade. In spite of the fact that it prefers soil that drains easily, the hawthorn tree is able to thrive in environments that are characterised by pollution and poor soil quality.
It is permissible to plant it in close proximity to a structure, such as a house, due to the fact that it is smaller than the bulk of trees that are employed in landscaping.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Put in a row of trees that are at least 20 to 30 feet apart so that they have sufficient space to flourish. The width of their bodies can reach up to almost 30 feet. After digging a hole that is two or three times as wide and deep as the root ball, plant the root ball in the hole. Young trees should be staked in order to protect them from the wind.
Hawthorn Tree Care
The genus’s species frequently find themselves vulnerable to problems like illness or insects. Integrated pest management is helpful, however grafting and selective cultivation have been used to address problems specific to the genus. Grafted or cultivar hawthorns are currently the most often used types in decorative horticulture.
There are three things you need to grow a hawthorn successfully. You will have to acknowledge that they are prone to certain problems and acknowledge that you will need to take action to address those problems.
Going native is generally a terrific idea, and it still is, but doing so will require you to be very watchful of your integrated pest control programme. This tree is a prime example of one for which hiring a licenced arborist to do yearly tree maintenance is worthwhile. Make plans to investigate local insects and diseases to see whether they may harm the species or variety you have selected. The Plant Sentinel Network or your neighbourhood extension department are good sources for this information.
Light
The ideal growing environment for this floral genus is full light. If the tree is planted in an area with anything less, the number of flowers will noticeably decrease.
Soil
Remarkably, despite the genus’s susceptibility, it can handle any kind of soil and any pH level as long as it drains well. Although well-draining, somewhat acidic, and slightly damp soil is good, managing hawthorns does not primarily depend on the soil.
Water
You will need to provide your hawthorn a lot of moisture during the first two years or so of its establishment. It’s preferable to water it once a week to achieve this. Using a pair of callipers, measure the diameter of your tree at knee height to determine how much water it needs. After that, water it with 10 gallons per inch per week for the next two seasons, making periodic measurements.
Temperature and Humidity
The hardiness will differ depending on the species or cultivar, and it may be quite different due to the fact that the genus is spread out throughout a number of continents. Prior to making a decision to plant, it is important to conduct research on the viability of a certain species or cultivar in your hardiness zone.
Fertilizer
The application of fertiliser to hawthorns in the autumn was something that should be on your list of things to perform each and every year. Due to the fact that it is a flowering tree, it will get advantages from the additional boost of nutrients that you provide it. Implementing a granular slow-release fertiliser that is specifically designed for flowering trees and shrubs will result in your hawthorn blossoming to its full potential. Follow the instructions on the product package to determine the appropriate amount to use.
