Large Old Hawthorn Trees - Ask Extension
Hello, I have two large Hawthorn trees in my front yard that I would guess were planted in 1947 when the house was built. They have not done as well ...
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Large Old Hawthorn Trees #891650
Asked January 16, 2025, 5:37 PM EST
Hello, I have two large Hawthorn trees in my front yard that I would guess were planted in 1947 when the house was built. They have not done as well last two summers with stress from heat and not enough water and fertilizer. I have checked with a few arborists and been given diffferent opinions on when it is best to prune - maybe their availability.
One offered a injected fertilizer plan and another wanted to spray(I don't want to spray as in the past it had little to no benefit). I want to help them stay healthy and reduce stress.
They have not been prunned for at least 5-8 years. What timing would be optimal for the Hawthornes to have them prunned and deadwood taken?
Thank you!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Rick and thanks for your question about pruning your hawthorns. First let me commend you on your decision not to spray. There are so many creatures that live in our deciduous trees, they are really part of a great cycle of life.
Now would be a great time to prune, as the trees are dormant and the sap will not be flowing out of the cuts. The tree will be able to seal off any cuts by the time they break dormancy. They may not need that much pruning, as they are supposed to be rather large and can live to 250 years old.
If you are going to do the pruning, take out anything that is dead and no more than 1/4 of the tree top. If you hire it done, make sure they are an ISA certified arborist that knows what to do with such old trees. https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
There is one more thing I want you to know. There is an invasive hawthorn in Oregon many of which were planted as ornamentals before it was discovered that they out-compete the native white oak trees. The birds have spread the seeds and they occur all over now. If you find out this is your species (and not the native Douglas hawthorn) you may not care if the trees become less than healthy.
https://tualatinswcd.org/species/singleseed-hawthorn/
Good luck with all your decisions,
Now would be a great time to prune, as the trees are dormant and the sap will not be flowing out of the cuts. The tree will be able to seal off any cuts by the time they break dormancy. They may not need that much pruning, as they are supposed to be rather large and can live to 250 years old.
If you are going to do the pruning, take out anything that is dead and no more than 1/4 of the tree top. If you hire it done, make sure they are an ISA certified arborist that knows what to do with such old trees. https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
There is one more thing I want you to know. There is an invasive hawthorn in Oregon many of which were planted as ornamentals before it was discovered that they out-compete the native white oak trees. The birds have spread the seeds and they occur all over now. If you find out this is your species (and not the native Douglas hawthorn) you may not care if the trees become less than healthy.
https://tualatinswcd.org/species/singleseed-hawthorn/
Good luck with all your decisions,
