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. .

An avenue of hawthorns at Primrose Hill.