Mayhaw
Crataegus aestivalis
Also listed as Crataegus luculenta, Crataegus maloides
Also known as Eastern Mayhaw, May Hawthorn
Climate Match for your location
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A small native tree or large shrub producing small red to yellow fruits in late spring that are excellent for jellies and preserves. Mayhaw is valued by permaculturists for its edible fruit, wildlife food, and ability to thrive in bottomland and wetland areas.
Why grow it
Mayhaw is notably cold-hardy and flood-tolerant compared to most commercially cultivated fruit trees, making it well-suited to poorly-drained bottomland sites where conventional orchard species struggle. The fruit ripens later than most native hawthorns and produces higher yields suitable for processing, which is why it has regional significance in the southeastern U.S. It functions simultaneously as an edible and wildlife food source without requiring the pest management intensity typical of introduced fruit crops.
Watch out for
Fruit drop can be unpredictable year to year, especially in drought conditions, so harvest timing requires close observation rather than a fixed calendar date. Trees may take several years to establish productive fruiting after planting, and cross-pollination typically improves fruit set, so multiple trees are often needed for reliable production.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A small native tree or large shrub producing small red to yellow fruits in late spring that are excellent for jellies and preserves. Mayhaw is valued by permaculturists for its edible fruit, wildlife food, and ability to thrive in bottomland and wetland areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mayhaw grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mayhaw is notably cold-hardy and flood-tolerant compared to most commercially cultivated fruit trees, making it well-suited to poorly-drained bottomland sites where conventional orchard species struggle. The fruit ripens later than most native hawthorns and produces higher yields suitable for processing, which is why it has regional significance in the southeastern U.S. It functions simultaneously as an edible and wildlife food source without requiring the pest management intensity typical of introduced fruit crops.
Watch out for
Fruit drop can be unpredictable year to year, especially in drought conditions, so harvest timing requires close observation rather than a fixed calendar date. Trees may take several years to establish productive fruiting after planting, and cross-pollination typically improves fruit set, so multiple trees are often needed for reliable production.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
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