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Above: A hawthorn at Tavistock Square.
Below: at Primrose Hill.
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Trees of London Tavistock Square
Hawthorn
field maple plum tree
The hawthorn is to the oak what the cat is to the tiger; it has all the grace and magnificence of the grander version, but it is of a manageable size, which is why it is a very popular garden tree. It grows short and stocky and often at an angle. It has a rustic, rough bark, which is very emotive. Its most impressive feature though is its blossom. It varies from tree to tree but is often quite a deep red, and what makes this doubly impressive is that it is not over in just a day or two, or a week if you are lucky with the cherry, this stays for at least two weeks.
There are different forms of hawthorn. The most common are the common which has leaves which are slightly trifoliate and with deeper lobes. The midland is trifoliate without any lobes. There is another related tree called the cockspur which has more conventional leaves. All of them have leaves which are quite small.
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An avenue of hawthorns at Primrose Hill.
Other Trees at Tavistock Square
field maple plum
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Tree Identification |
Crataegus monogyna: |
Leaf: alternate; very small, common hawthorn: left, has two pronounced lobes on each side. midland hawthorn: right |  |
| nuts/fruit:
small, red berries; grow in clusters. |
 | Flowers: a beautiful thick red/white for a short time in spring. |
| bark: rough, scaly. |
shape:
| grows to 10 metres; usually grows at an angle; rounded crown. |
general: very common in suburbs, beautiful examples in Primrose Hill. Don't tend to be at their best in central London. |
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Location
Opposite the east entrance, beside the path leading to the centre of the square. |
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Trees of London A James Wilkinson Publication ©
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