cockspur hawthorn

plural cockspur hawthorns

1. A broad North American tree, with edible fruit, often grown ornamentally and used in horticulture; Crataegus crus-galli

   Cockspur hawthorn and Washington hawthorn retain their fruits all winter long.

   1995, Jerry Minnich, “Lawns, Trees, and Ornamental Plantings” (chapter 8), in The Wisconsin Garden Guide, Prairie Oak Press, page 248

   2 more examples

   A broad, exceedingly thorny plant, cockspur hawthorn can grow 25 to 30 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 10 to 12 inches.

   2002, Charles Fergus, “Broad-Leaved Trees”, in Trees of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, Stockpole Books, →ISBN, page 168

   The cockspur hawthorn is used in clipped hedges and less formally controlled hedgerows, where the cockspur's density and thorns help keep out animal pests.

   2005, Jeffrey G. Meyer, “Shade Trees”, in The Tree Book, Scribner, page 118

   Synonyms: cockspur thorn