On 18/11/2012 23:19, Janet Tweedy wrote:
In article , Spider
writes
Hello Christina,

I've just seen you mention your berry tree on the birdwatching group,
and still hope to identify it.

Have a google on Crataegus crus-galli inermis, the Thornless Cockspur
Hawthorn. It is the nearest thing I've seen so far. Fingers crossed.


Fantastic tree, I managed to source one about 5 years ago and the leaves
are nothing like the ordinary hawthorn, the autumn colours are really
rich and the berries (and thorns!) are about 8 times the size of the
ordinary crategus.

Having bought mine three of my friends were impressed enough to get one
as well




Agreed, though yours is obviously not the 'inermis' form, since it has
thorns; otherwise they seem to be alike in every way. My tree is
slightly different again. It is the Crataegus x persimilis
'Prunifolia', the Cherry-leaved Hawthorn. However the autumn colours
are brilliant (flaming reds, oranges, golds and some plummy colouring),
plus up to 3" thorns. The May/June flowers attract lots of flying
insects and the deep red autumn berries attract birds.
The C. crus-galli and the C. 'Prunifolia' make magnificent small garden
trees (not 'postage stamp' plots) and they're great for wildlife. I
hang fatballs in mine to boost the food supply.

Like yours, my tree has also impressed others into growing one. I have
given away small seedling trees too, but unlike my tree, they're on
their own roots, so the end result is something of an unknown quantity.
However, I'm going to use some of my seedling trees to boost a
Pyracantha hedge, so if I live long enough, I may see them mature.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay