Tracy's Hawthorn

Crataegus tracyi

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus tracyi
USDA Symbol:
CRTR

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
800 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
mar,apr
Bloom Colors:
white
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from crown after fire; adapted to periodic fire in Texas scrublands and oak-juniper woodlands.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to rocky slopes and open woodlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
60–365 days
Notes:
Crataegus seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take over a year.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI