The Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

Oliver Rackham estimated that 200,000 miles of hedges were planted during the Parliamentary Enclosures from 1750 to 1850 and the major component of those hedges was the Hawthorn. It is one of our most common trees, easily overlooked until the glories of the May blossom (my apologies for writing this in June). For many of us the froth of the flowers of hawthorn spilling over onto footpaths and field edges is proof that spring is here. The densely tangled branches and foliage make it a marvellous nesting place for a wide variety of birds and when regularly clipped make it a wonderfully stock proof hedge. In autumn the red berries, the haws, are one of our most important bird fruits, loved by redwings, fieldfares, hawfinches, blackbirds, robins, thrushes and pigeons. Mammals such as voles, squirrels and mice also enjoy them. Its leaves are enjoyed by at least 209 species of phytophagous invertebrate.

The seeds of Hawthorn pass through birds’ intestines and are therefore distributed widely, popping up in grassland as pioneer seedlings which will continue to thrive as more mature woodland develops. As a child my friends and I ate the young leaves and the berries (although we spat out the seeds rather than distributing them as birds do). It is said that during a famine in 1752 the poor colliers in the Bristol area were reduced to eating haws and the leaves to stay alive, hence the old country name of ‘Bread and Cheese’ tree.

The Midland hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, is similar to C. mongyna , but normally has two styles leading to the ovary whereas C.m as its name suggests has only one. The two species hybridise freely.

Hawthorn wood is hard and tough, Crataegus is derived from the Greek kratos meaning strength. It also makes excellent firewood and charcoal.

Hatfield Forest has some fine specimens of this gnarled and knobbly tree, and on a dull and gloomy winters day they are easily the spookiest trees in the forest.