Crataegus aestivalis
Because it tolerates a wide variety of sites, this species can be used to stabilize banks, for shelterbelts, and to give protection from wind and water erosion[277]. Wood - heavy, hard and strong, but not large enough for commercial use[227]. Useful for making tool handles, mallets and other small items[82]. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the fruits and flowers of many hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic[222]. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure[222]. Prolonged use is necessary for it to be efficacious[222]. It is normally used either as a tea or a tincture[222].
A very easily grown plant, it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive loamy soil but is not at all fussy[11, 200, 277]. Once established, it succeeds in excessively moist soils and also tolerates drought[200, 277]. It grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils[200]. It thrives in acid soils[160]. A position in full sun is best when plants are being grown for their fruit, they also succeed in semi-shade though fruit yields and quality will be lower in such a position[11, 200]. It succeeds well in exposed positions and tolerates atmospheric pollution[200, 277]. A very hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[160]. This species is closely related to C. opaca and is included in that species by some botanists. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year[K]. The flowers have a foetid smell somewhat like decaying fish. This attracts midges which are the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have more pleasant scent with balsamic undertones[245]. Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted[11]. Occasionally cultivated for its fruit in America, there are some named varieties[183].
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Crataegus+aestivalis [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. [2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references. [11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981 A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. [78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948 A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants. [80] McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985 ISBN 0-901361-21-6 Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading. [82] Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. [160] Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. 0 Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though. [164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990 Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum. [183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world. [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. [222] Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990 ISBN 0395467225 A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties. [227] Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982 ISBN 0292780206 A readable guide to the area, it contains descriptions of the plants and their habitats with quite a bit of information on plant uses. [245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations. [277] Plants Database United States Department of Agriculture 0 An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants.