Hawthorn

Popular among cedar waxwings, northern mockingbirds, woodpeckers, and other feathered friends, hawthorns—relatives of apples, cherries, and raspberries in the rose family (Rosaceae)—are best known for their drooping clusters of bright red fruits.

Ohio is home to over 60 species of hawthorn, making them one of the most diverse groups of trees in the state. Their adaptability and tendency to hybridize create a vast number of unique populations, with differences in leaf shape, fruit size, and even thorn length. Because of this, hawthorn trees can be a challenge to identify down to species level. Luckily, all of them are safe to eat and delicious!

Hawthorn trees often thrive in open woodlands, hedgerows, and even urban spaces, where they persist despite habitat loss. Their flowers bloom in spring, forming clusters of white or pink blossoms. Distinctive thorns, sometimes several inches long, form along the branches, and sometimes the trunk, serving as protection against herbivores and appreciated as forms of home defense by nesting birds. The fruits—known as “haws”—are a critical food source for wildlife in late summer and fall, sometimes hanging on into the winter months all dried up or fermented.

Hawthorn fruit can be enjoyed fresh, raw, dried, baked, powdered, or incorporated into a variety of creative recipes, such as jams, jellies, syrups, and even the lesser-known hawthorn ketchup. Though not harmful in small quantities, it’s best to remove the seeds before consuming the fruits. Like other relatives in the rose family, hawthorn seeds contain amygdalin, which can convert to cyanide when digested.

Not only are hawthorns beautiful additions to wild spaces, home gardens, and urban landscapes, but they also play a critical role in supporting local biodiversity. They serve as a host plant for over 150 species of moths and butterflies, whose caterpillars provide essential food for nesting birds.

Hawthorn trees have existed in Ohio for millions of years, remaining culturally and ecologically relevant today. Those who are fortunate to know a hawthorn tree have the unique opportunity to connect to Ohio’s natural history through use and conservation, taking part in ensuring their persistence for another million years.