Glossy hawthorn (Crataegus nitida) is a dense, broad-rounded tree native to the Midwest, typically growing 20 to 30 feet tall with shiny foliage that gives the species its common name. Its fragrant, showy white flowers bloom in May, followed by edible red fruits that attract birds and butterflies throughout fall and winter. Hardy in zones 4 through 7, this small tree tolerates urban conditions and moderate drought, making it equally at home along a city street or in a naturalized landscape.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-7
300in H x 360in W
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Moderate
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The glossy hawthorn earns its name from distinctly lustrous foliage that catches the light beautifully, and its dense branching creates a naturally full silhouette without heavy pruning. Armed with thorns reaching up to 2 inches long (particularly on lower branches), this tree combines ornamental appeal with the practical benefit of being difficult to penetrate, lending itself well to defensive hedging. Its pollinator-friendly flowers and abundant fruit production support wildlife, while the edible haws provide foragers with a tart, nutrient-rich harvest.
The glossy hawthorn serves multiple roles in the landscape: as a flowering ornamental tree prized for its May blooms and showy fruit display, as a street tree tolerant of urban stressors, and as a wildlife-supporting native tree that draws pollinators and birds. The edible red fruits can be harvested for teas, syrups, and traditional herbal preparations. Its dense, thorny growth habit also makes it suitable for living fences or screens where security or wildlife barriers are desired.
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Harvest hawthorn fruits (haws) in fall after they turn deep red and soften slightly to the touch, typically September through November. The fruits should be fully colored and yield slightly when gently squeezed. Gather fruits by hand or allow them to drop naturally, then remove any remaining stems and leaves. Use fresh or dry for teas, syrups, and herbal preparations.
Prune glossy hawthorn in late winter when the tree is dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. The naturally dense, broad-rounded growth habit requires minimal intervention to maintain an attractive form. Remove lower horizontal branches if a taller, tree-like form is desired, though this natural branching pattern contributes to the species' appeal and structural strength.
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“Crataegus nitida is native to a small region of the Midwest, occurring naturally along streams and in open woods from southern Illinois south through western Tennessee and northeast Arkansas, with notable populations near the Mississippi River in Missouri. This species represents the long history of hawthorns in North American ecology, valued by indigenous peoples and settlers alike for their food and medicinal properties. The plant's natural distribution and subsequent cultivation reflect its adaptation to riparian and woodland edge habitats across a broad climate range.”