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photo of Jim Zampini

Meet the Breeder

Jim Zampini
Madison, Ohio

CRUSADER®

Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis

'Cruzam'

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close up of Crusader hawthorn's ornamental red berries "} Crusader hawthorn in a landscape Crusader hawthorn with white flowers in a landscape
  • Extreme durability
  • White spring flowers
  • Attractive fruit
Description

It’s hard to believe that a tree that’s so undeniably pretty in spring can also be so tough. Despite its abundant white floral display in late spring, attractive silver bark, colorful fall foliage, and showy fruit, this thornless native hawthorn tolerates just about any challenge you can give it. It shrugs off wet and dry soils, is not fussy about pH levels, is unbothered by clay or salt, and resists the many diseases that often plague the rose family, so it’s the perfect choice for difficult urban areas, parking lots, street plantings, and more.

As part of the Proven Winners ColorChoice Trees program, liners, whips, and finished plants are available through the network of licensed tree growers.

USDA Zone
3 - 7 (-40°F/40-°C)
Exposure
Full sun
Height
15'
Width
12 - 15'
Finish Time
varies with starter plant size and type
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green

Soil

Tolerates any soil.

Pruning

Prune selectively as needed. Note that it blooms on old wood, and that pruning after bloom will eliminate fruit.

Uses

Specimen, street tree

Growing Tips

Easy to grow. Does not require a pollinator to set fruit.

  • Grower Sheet: Trees: Crusader Crataegus Professional Grower Sheet
  • Tag: Trees: Crusader® Crataegus Tag
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week January 2, 2020
  • Trees: Proven Winners ColorChoice Programs: Branching Out - Proven Winners ColorChoice Ornamental Trees

    • Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Compact, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, Native, Tree

    Filters: Botanical genus: Crataegus, Common name: Hawthorn, Retail program: Proven Winners® Trees, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Compact, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, Native, Tree

    Filters: Botanical genus: Crataegus, Common name: Hawthorn, Retail program: Proven Winners® Trees, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage