More
Web-sites!
Plough
Field Allotments at Amerton
Gardening
Tips
By Mrs FM
Hartley.
Unusual
& Old
Fashioned Fruit
Trees.
Unusual
Vegetables,
Herbs & Other
Edible Plants.
Environmental
Issues And Going Green.
Vines
And Other Climbing Plants.
Fish
Ponds
Books
By
Alan J Hartley
|
|
Tree Project.
Hawthorn – Crataegus.
According to old
English beliefs it is considered bad luck to cut down a Hawthorn Tree
and indeed they are considered sacred in Celtic mythology. Although only
a small tree growing to a mere 15-30 feet, the Hawthorn can easily live
up to 200 years, but can live up to 400 years. There are over 1000
varieties grown across much of the World for various purposes, but here
in the UK it is traditionally used in hedging where its thorny growth
make an impenetrable thicket for keeping in animals when repeatedly cut
either by hand or machinery.
Although it is a tough tree regenerating from almost any amount of
damage, it is susceptible to a number of problems including, apple scab,
fire blight and rust to name but a few. However, it will grow just about
anywhere - in part shade, poor soil, dry soil and even in exposed sites.
Being a Native tree our Wildlife has come to make it a popular food
plant for a number of species including the caterpillars of a number of
moths and birds love to eat its nutritious, bright red berries, in the
autumn.
Driving along many roads you will often see a blaze of white flowers
covering the hedges in late spring and that is generally, the white
flowers of Hawthorn. Normally, the flowers are considered the herald of
better weather and a sign that colder weather is diminishing. Sometimes
called May instead of Hawthorn this gives some credence to the old
saying that you should “Ne’er Cast A Clout ‘Till May Is Out,” meaning
don’t cultivate your soil until the Hawthorn has flowered. The flowers
of Hawthorn are usually white, but there are some red flowered varieties
available one of which is “Crataegus Paul’s Scarlet,” which makes it
quite an appealing and attractive little tree to grow in your garden. If
the thorns are a worry with pets or children there are some thorn free
varieties also available. In parts of the world the hawthorn is even
cultivated as a food crop because the berries can be eaten, although
this should only under be done so with caution and under guidance as
they do have some unfavourable qualities and they are not particularly
tasty. Indeed, one variety from Mexico has long been cultivated for its
berries that are some 2cm long and often used to make jams.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adverts
|
|