Hybrid Cockspurthorn Crataegus x lavalleei

Lavalle Hawthorn is a small tree or large shrub in the rose family that is a hybrid between two hawthorns found in 1870 at the Arboretum Segrez in France.  The Arboretum was acquired by Pierre Alphonse Martin Lavelle in 1856.  He was a 19th century botanist and horticulturist.   Further development of this hybrid was accomplished by him, and bears his name. 

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.

This variety will grow with a more erect and densely branched form than other varieties.  Being multi-branched, it is sometimes grown as a large shrub.  

It branches boast large thorns, that can be up to 2" 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.

Insects, Diseases, and other Plant Problems:   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. 

Its thorns can be hazardous.  Caution should be used when pruning.  

Some call it a fragrance, others, an odor.  It can be unpleasant to some, so locating this tree/shrub away from buildings is recommended.