How to Identify a Mayhaw Tree: A Complete Guide

The Mayhaw tree is an indigenous to the United States and is found all over the US, but mostly in the southern parts. To identify the Mayhaw tree, you must look for its basic characteristics, like its white flowers, small leaf and crown shape tree.

Below, I listed some of my processes of identification of Mayhaw trees, so let’s discuss them.

What is Mayhaw Tree:

The mayhaw tree with the botanical name ‘Crataegus aestivalis’ belongs to the family known as hawthorns. Its botanical name is , Crataegus aestivalis and Crataegus opaca, but normally know by different names, like swamp hawthorn or red hawthorn. These fruit trees are native to the United States and are usually found on riverbanks, wetlands, swamps, etc. It has small apple-like fruit that usually starts ripening in April to May.

How to Identify a Mayhaw Tree:

If you are a gardener, you would know what a mayhaw tree looks like, but if you don’t, then let me tell you how to identify a mayhaw tree. You may identify it from its fruit, but if it’s not fruiting season then… Don’t worry I got you cover and explained its different characteristics so you can identify it from its different parts even if its not fruiting or flowering.

Identification by its Leaf:

The leaves of the Mayhaw tree are pretty simple and have a normal leaf shape. The size of mayhaw tree leaves is very small, about 2 to 4 inches long. The color of the leaf is dark green, which then turns yellow or orange during the fall season. The size and shape of the leaves of different mayhaw tree species are almost the same and indistinguishable.

Identification by its Branches:

The bark of Mayhaw trees is pretty smooth when they are young, but as they grow old and mature, the texture of their branches get rough. Another thing that will help you identify Mayhaw trees is their thorns, which are very small about 1 to 2 inches long and pretty sharp. Other than that, the tree is about 20 to 30 feet tall and has a round crown-shaped structure, which is not easy to miss.

Related: Growth Stages of Passion Fruit.

Identification by Flowers:

Now, let’s discuss identifying the Mayhaw tree from its flower. Well, its flowers usually bloom in the spring season, from March to April. Its flower grows in clusters that have pale pink and white Patels. The Mayhaw tree will become visible once it starts flowering, and you can identity it from faraway.

Fruit Size and Shape:

Well, if you live in the United States, then you have seen its fruit, but if you don’t, then it has the shape of small crabapples, which are about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. When the fruit ripens, it turns red, but in some varieties, it becomes yellow and orange.

Identification By Area Where it Grows:

The Mayhaw trees are grown all over the United States but mostly in southern areas. You will find these trees in mostly riverbanks, marshes, and swamps. It is usually grown in moist areas where the soil is well-drained and has enough water. If you are looking for any Mayhaw trees, look in wetlands alongside water, like cypress trees.

Tips to Identify Mayhaw Tree in the Wild:

If you looking for a mayhaw tree in the wild then you should know how to identity it. Well, I listed some of the basic methods to recognize its tree in above blog, but let me give you some simple and short tips.

• If you are looking for a Mayhaw tree, start looking at spring because it is when it has flowers which make it easy to identify.
• Also, look at wet areas because they grow in swamps, wetlands, and riverbanks.
• If you come in summer with no flower, you can identify it by its small thorns.

Below we have a video demonstration to identify a Mayhaw tree.

Conclusion:

Identifying the Mayhaw tree needs attention to flowers, leaves, and its habitat. You can easily identify it once you know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to look for it. They grow all over the United States and have distinct looks that can be easily recognized.

I hope this helps you, but if you still need any help, then feel free to contact me at admin@gardencrafting.com.