Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
We've got three large Washington Hawthorn trees on our property. Large is a relative term though, and compared to the oaks we have, they would be considered small. The oldest one, which resides at the left front of the garage, has been here almost as long as we have and we moved here in 1977. I think it was the first tree we planted to add to what was already here.
A fully-grown Washington Hawthorn is from 25-30 feet tall and nearly as wide, making it somewhat suitable as an ornamental or specimen tree. It's hardy in zones 5-9 (some sources say zones 4-8) and is a moderate to fast grower in all soil types, even poor, which may be why it does well in our yard full of clay.
In the spring, it flowers in clusters of white blooms that cover the tree and while it's a beautiful sight, they have a strong disagreeable odor, but that only lasts a few days. The bees must like the smell, though, because during that time, the tree literally buzzes because of them.
The leaves are small (1-2 inches long) and sort of maple-like, and in the fall, they turn burgundy. Also in the fall, the tree bears clusters of red berries that the birds LOVE. Many of the berries remain on the tree throughout most of winter, which really looks pretty when it snows, but about as many eventually fall to the ground and in the spring we'll see seedlings pop up here and there.
It gets its hawthorn name because of the lethal spears that grow on its branches. You think I'm kidding, but their thorns are two to three inches long and extremely sharp. Most of the thorns on the branches are single thorns, but on the trunk itself, some of them are branched. I actually try to trim the downward pointing thorns so that anyone walking under the tree won't get hurt.
It was first scientifically named in 1883 and introduced to Pennsylvania from Washington, thus that part of its common name.