Photo: Sten Porse, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Broadleaf tree
Midland hawthorn: when and how to prune
Crataegus laevigata
Midland hawthorn: clip a hedge in June–September; prune a free-standing tree or shrub in November–March.
| Pruning months | June–September and November–March |
|---|---|
| As a hedge | June–September |
| As a free-standing tree | November–March |
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March and June–August |
| Flowering | May |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Midland hawthorn: when to prune it?
As a hedge
As a free-standing tree
Trim a hedge after flowering, in late June, and if needed in late August. Prune a tree in winter.
Prune while dormant, from November to March, but not in freezing weather.
What else to prune in those months? January · February · March · June · July · August · September · November · December
Midland hawthorn: how to prune it?
- Tolerates hard pruning: a neglected hedge can be cut back hard in winter.
- Trim a hedge slightly narrower at the top than at the bottom, so the base gets light too.
- Prune an ornamental tree lightly: remove dead, crossing and low branches. On grafted trees, remove shoots from the rootstock (below the graft union).
- Wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves against the thorns.
How much to cut, and how often?
- Trim a hedge once or twice a year, after the first flush of growth (late June) and, if needed, in late summer. Check first that no birds are nesting.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March and June–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- A dense hedge gives birds a place to nest and shelter, and hedgehogs take cover underneath. Leave some leaves at the base.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Letting the hedge grow wider at the top than at the bottom: the base then goes bare.
Caution: Don’t trim during the nesting season while birds are still nesting in the hedge: check first. Disinfect your secateurs after cutting out branches with fire blight.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from hawthorn · Difference from firethorn
Plant profile: Midland hawthorn · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.