Scarlet Hawthorn (Black Diamond) Traditional Cache

Scarlet Hawthorn is my best guess for this one. I did get close enough to spot some mighty thorns. I was glad to have my walking stick to get close enough, so be prepared!

Crataegus coccinea, the scarlet hawthorn, is a species of hawthorn around which there is considerable confusion because the name has been misapplied for a long time. It has been shown to be the same as C. pedicellata, and under the rules of botanical nomenclature, the older name (C. coccinea) should be used.

Crataegus coccinea L. scarlet hawthorn

Facts About

Scarlet hawthorn could be so named for many reasons, including its bright red fruits produced in late summer, the leaves that turn reddish-purple in fall, and its deep red buds that overwinter. Its leaves are quite distinctive for their 5-6 large lobes on the margins, which each have very toothy edges (leaves are double-dentate). The flowers smell unpleasant, and the fruits taste good only to birds.

Habitat

Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), forest edges, forests, meadows and fields

From Missouri Botanical Garden:

Crataegus coccinea

Common Name: hawthorn

Type: Tree

Family: Rosaceae

Native Range: Eastern North America

Zone: 4 to 7

Height: 20.00 to 25.00 feet

Spread: 20.00 to 25.00 feet

Bloom Time: May

Bloom Description: White

Sun: Full sun

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Medium

Suggested Use: Flowering Tree

Flower: Showy, Fragrant

Leaf: Good Fall

Attracts: Birds, Butterflies

Fruit: Showy, Edible

Other: Winter Interest, Thorns

Culture

Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils as long as drainage is good. Tolerates light shade and some drought. Tolerates many urban pollutants.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Crataegus coccinea, commonly called scarlet hawthorn or Ontario hawthorn, is native to eastern North America. In Canada, it occurs in southern Quebec and southern Ontario. In the U.S., it occurs from Maine to Minnesota south to Kentucky. It is a small, dense, broad-rounded tree to 20-25’ tall with horizontal branching armed with thorns (to 2” long).

It is also seen as a large multi-stemmed shrub. Ovate (sometimes rounded), dark green leaves (to 3” long) are broadest near the base and sometimes lobed near the top. Leaves are coarsely toothed and mostly hairless. Leaves turn orange to purple red in fall. White flowers (in corymbs) bloom in May. Flowers emit an unpleasant fragrance. Flowers are followed by rounded fruits (1/2” diameter) that ripen to scarlet in September-October and typically persist to late fall/early winter. Fruits are technically edible, but are usually best left for the birds. The fruit is sometimes called a haw.

Genus name comes from the Greek name for the tree. From kratos meaning strength for its strong, hard wood.

Specific epithet means scarlet.

Problems

Pests and diseases are a problem with most hawthorns. Plants are susceptible to cedar hawthorn rust (rust stage where eastern red cedars are present in the area) and fireblight. Other potential diseases include fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers, apple scab, leaf blight and twig blight. Potential insect pests include aphids, borers, caterpillars, lacebugs, leafminers and scale. Red spider mites may also occur. Use of pesticide sprays may be advisable in areas where this plant suffers from significant diseases and insects. Thorns pose significant risks for young children, and also make culture/pruning more difficult.

Garden Uses

Small flowering landscape tree for lawns or open woodland areas. Notwithstanding disease susceptibility, a well-maintained tree can be ornamentally attractive. Thorns are a drawback for pedestrian areas or areas with small children. Plants may be effective when grown as barrier plants on property borders or in hedgerows.

The cache is a tied in, camoed, “micro” pill bottle. that you have to push hard to open and close. Please BYOP and put everything back  as you found it or better.