River/Douglas Hawthorn
Crataegus douglasii
River/Douglas Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Rust is an issue.
Colorado nativemedium water20–30 ft tall and 15–20 ft wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Étienne Léveillé-Bourret, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Étienne Léveillé-Bourret, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: no rights reserved
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Bloom color
- white
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, riparian
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Insects & DiseasesMain pressure here is Fireblight and Cedar-hawthorn rust, so keep it vigorous with steady water and a well-chosen site.
- Watch: SuckersIt throws up shoots from the roots and base, so plan on cutting suckers to keep it from turning into a thicket.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Fireblight
- Cedar-hawthorn rust
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, River/Douglas Hawthorn is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does River/Douglas Hawthorn get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does River/Douglas Hawthorn need?
- Give River/Douglas Hawthorn about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does River/Douglas Hawthorn grow into?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does River/Douglas Hawthorn need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does River/Douglas Hawthorn grow?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does River/Douglas Hawthorn live?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does River/Douglas Hawthorn turn in fall?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn deer-resistant?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn a good firewise plant near the house?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is River/Douglas Hawthorn prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- River/Douglas Hawthorn can be affected by fireblight and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
