title: Like the hawthorn, the hawthorn can function wonderfully as a hedge plant. But you can get even more out of its attractive character if you cultivate it as a standard tree. Because with its spherical crown and attractive flowers it has the highest ornamental value as a house tree.
How can you train a hawthorn to become a standard tree?
To cultivate a hawthorn as a standard stem, cut back the lower side shoots heavily every year at the end of winter and shorten the central shoot by a third. Shape the crown into a spherical or pyramid shape according to your personal taste and always wear gauntlets to protect against thorns.
Why the hawthorn is an ideal house tree candidate
Properties tend to become smaller and the space available for decorative greenery around the house becomes smaller and smaller. A mighty chestnut or a full-grown linden tree is no longer an option for very few gardens and front gardens. You still don't want to miss out on some cozy tree flair in your private oasis? Then a small tree is needed. If an attractive floral pattern is also desired, the hawthorn may be just the thing for you.
The hawthorn has everything on offer for allotment garden purposes:
- Moderate overall size
- Moderate growth rate
- High ornamental value
- Good cutting tolerance
- Tolerant of frost and urban climate
The key data of hawthorn
The cultivar 'Paul's Scarlet' of the two-handled hawthorn Crataegus laevigata is considered to be a real hawthorn. It grows as a large shrub or small tree and is around 4-6 m high and 1.50 to 2.50 m wide. Its small, dark green and multi-lobed foliage and its gnarled, thorny appearance, typical of hawthorns, appear very delicate and rustic at the same time. Its flowers are filled like small roses and stand out attractively in crimson red against the green leaves. They appear in pleasing abundance in May and June.
How to train the hawthorn to become a standard tree
Normally, if it is not cut, the hawthorn grows sprawling and slightly bulky as a large shrub. If you want to incorporate it into a small front garden or set up a romantic seating area under it, you can easily train it to become a standard tree.
It's best to get an early specimen from the tree nursery. The most important pruning work must be done in the first two years. The procedure is roughly the same as with fruit trees.
How to cut?
Prune every year in late winter or early spring. The lower, side shoots in particular are radically shortened. You also cut back the central shoot by about a third every year.
Crown shaping
Crown shaping is all about your personal taste. If you want a simple ball crown, you have it relatively easy. In this case, you can simply cut back all crown branches to a spherical silhouette. As a rule, this also looks the most natural.
If you want to achieve a more ornate pyramid shape, you may have to work with drawstrings or spreading sticks, which can be a tedious task with the thorny branches. It is ideal if you have 4 leading branches that protrude from the trunk at an angle of approximately 45°. Then you get a wide crown base. After about 7 to 8 years, the training process is usually complete and you only need to sharpen the silhouette you have gained every year.
Important when cutting: Always wear gauntlets (€29.00 on Amazon) as protection against the sharp thorns!
