Crataegus mollis #2 at Cathays Cemetery

Grid reference	ST 18041 78369
Common name	Red haw
Common name	Scarlet thorn
Common name	Downy hawthorn
Alternative name	Crataegus coccinea var. mollis
Origin	East North America
Deciduous	Yes
Status	Rare
Status	Wales Champion 2021
Map section	Y
Planted	by Malcolm Frazer c.1995
Height	7M April 2021
Girth	Inaccessible
Reference	662

This tree is at the south end, the more northerly of the two Crataegus mollis trees roughly in the centre of map section Y.

Its foliage seems to be of two different kinds and the reason is unclear. This also applies to the other C. mollis nearby. Both trees were purchased from the same supplier. They were probably grown via grafting and it is quite possible that Crataegus monogyna root stock was used. In support of this, one set of leaves and flower buds bear a good resemblance to C. monogyna.

The first leaves to appear in 2021 were those resembling C. monogyna. They were followed by the C. mollis flowers and leaves while the C.monogyna flowers were still in bud. By mid/late May the C. mollis flowers had dropped and the C. monogyna flowers prevailed.

The measured height given above is that of the composite tree with no reference as to whether the apex is C. mollis or C. monogyna.

The following table gives the approximate physical measurements of examined haws together with the number of pips found within them.

Diameter mm	Length mm	No. of pips
14.5	17	5

These are the characteristics of the Crataegus mollis fruit and were taken in late September 2021.

General tree description

Crataegus mollis is a small, wide-spreading tree up to 10 to 12 metres tall, with grey-brown scaly bark. Older stems may have thorns 2.5 to 5cm long. The leaves are big and broadly ovate - up to 12cm long and almost as wide. They are pointed and sharply toothed, with four to seven shallow lobes, and rounded or heart-shaped at the base. Both surfaces are downy. The flowers are white, 2.5cm across, and have about 20 stamens with pale yellow anthers. The fruits are red downy haws, up to 25mm long, containing four or five pips.