Carriere Hawthorn Crataegus x lavalleei

Lavalle Hawthorn is a small tree in the rose family that is a hybrid between two hawthorns founded the Arboretum Segrez in France. It will grow 15- 30 feet tall with a dense rounded to irregular form. It may also grow as a multi-stemmed shrub. White flowers occur in spring in clusters with a not so pleasant fragrance and are followed by red-orange berries in the fall that persist into winter. The leaves have good bronzy-red fall colors. Branches have thorns up to 2 inches long.

Plant this tree in average well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate most soil types except wet ones and is drought tolerant once established. Use as a small flowering shade tree or as a hedge or barrier. The thorns prevent it from being used in walkways or children's areas.

Pests and diseases are a problem with most hawthorns although Lavelle Hawthorn is reported to have good resistance to rusts and fireblight. Other potential diseases include fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers, apple scab, leaf blight and twig blight. Potential insect pests include aphids, borers, caterpillars, lacebugs, leafminers, spider mites and scale.