Index    Handbook of the Trees of New England by Lorin Low Dame, Henry Brooks

Cratægus Crus-Galli, L. Cockspur Thorn.

Rich soils, edge of swamps.

Found sparingly in western Vermont (Flora of Vermont, 1900); southern Connecticut (C. H. Bissell).

A small tree, 10-25 feet in height and 6-12 inches in trunk diameter; best distinguished by its thorns and leaves.

Thorns numerous, straight, long (2-4 inches), slender; leaves thick, smooth, dark green, shining on the upper surface, pale beneath, turning dark orange red in autumn; outline obovate-oblanceolate, serrate above, entire or nearly so near base; apex acute or rounded; base decidedly wedge-shaped shaped; leafstalks short.

Fruit globose or very slightly pear-shaped, remaining on the tree throughout the winter.

Hardy throughout southern New England; used frequently for a hedge plant.