Upright Hawthorn, Upright May tree, Upright Maythorn, Upright Quickthorn, Upright Motherdie

Crataegus monogyna Stricta is a tough and durable Hawthorn with an upright shape, making it useful in areas lacking lateral space for growth.

The foliage, flower and fruit are similar to its native Hawthorn parent, Crataegus monogyna. White flowers are produced in clusters around May against the emerging foliage, which is generally late to appear compared to other tree species. The small, dark green lobed leaves turn yellow and orange in autumn.

The fruits, known as Haws, are produced following the flower and gradually ripen to a bright red by autumn. They provide a great feast for birds, and whilst they are reported to be edible raw, generally, they are best cooked to form jams if utilised at all.

Crataegus monogyna Stricta, like the native Hawthorn, is extremely tough, tolerating most soil types that are well-drained and coping with extremely cold and exposed conditions. It will even tolerate some exposure to salt-laden winds from the coast.

Also known as Upright Maythorn or May Tree, it is notable for its extreme columnar shape and stiffly ascending branches. These characteristics make it a very useful tree in urban environments and gardens where space is limited. 

It is also a great architectural plant, bringing structure and shape to a planting coupled with year-round interest.

Mature Height: 3-7m

Common names

Upright Hawthorn, Upright May tree, Upright Maythorn, Upright Quickthorn, Upright Motherdie

Height of tree

3-7m

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Narrow

Blossom Colour

White

Foliage Colour

Green

Information Flags

Good for bees

Looks good in

Spring

Privacy

Screening above the fence

Location

Garden, Parkland

Genus

Crataegus