Crataegus flava, commonly known as summer haw or yellow hawthorn, is a small, deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States, including parts of Florida, where it is often found in sandy soils, open woodlands, and along stream edges. It typically grows 15–25 feet tall with a rounded to irregular crown and is characterized by its slender branches armed with sharp thorns. The leaves are glossy, green, and variably shaped, often with shallow lobes, turning shades of yellow in the fall.
In spring, yellow hawthorn produces clusters of small, white flowers that have a light fragrance and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and flies. These blooms give way to small, apple-like fruits called pomes, which ripen to yellow or yellow-orange in late summer to early fall. The fruits are edible for humans, though they are generally considered mild in flavor and somewhat dry or mealy compared to other hawthorn species. They are more commonly enjoyed by birds and other wildlife, which readily feed on them.
Ecologically, this species provides valuable food and shelter, with its dense, thorny structure offering protection for nesting birds. It grows best in full sun and is adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, including sandy and slightly dry conditions, making it suitable for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects. While not widely used in formal landscaping, yellow hawthorn can be a rewarding native tree for those interested in supporting wildlife and incorporating regionally appropriate species into the landscape.
 
Native to Florida and most of the central and east U.S.
Natural range in FL includes only the panhandle
3-20' tall and 2-8' wide
Full to Part sun
Dry sandy soils
Can be grown in zones 8a-9a
 
Size: 3 gal
 
Shipping materials are recycled. Please feel free to compost our shredded paper we use for cushioning. The package and loose-fill packing may have been reused. Feel free to reuse again, use as mulch, compost, or recycle.
 
Plants are only shipped on Mondays and Tuesdays. This is to avoid plants sitting at a post office or warehouse over a weekend and reducing shipping stress on plants. Plants arrive healthier and quicker when you select faster shipping such as priority shipping. Plants ship from Florida. Keep that in mind when deciding to buy and selecting shipping options.
 
Seed packets ship any day of the week and are commonly shipped in envelopes paid by stamp. There will be no tracking information for seed packets shipped in this way. Customers will be notified when seed packets are sent.
 
No refunds, exchanges, or returns. By purchasing this plant, you are accepting the risk of having plants mailed to you. We package plants very carefully. We can not be responsible for how the carrier handles them or transient through different temperatures. Our most common carriers are UPS and USPS. Any damaged packages, damaged plants, dead plants or irregular shipping patterns should be claimed through the UPS or USPS insurance claims system. All orders come with a standard insurance of up to $100.00. You will need to provide the following for an insurance claim: Receipt of your order that you can obtain through your order history or email. Pictures of the package upon arrival Pictures of the contents upon arrival
If you need any help filing a claim, please reach out to us.
 
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