Overview
Crataegus roanensis Ashe is a small deciduous tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. The tree is commonly known as Roan mountain hawthorn, and it grows to a height of 5-20 feet. It is known for its medicinal properties and is also popular as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Origin
Crataegus roanensis Ashe is native to the United States and is found in the Great Smoky Mountains and in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It prefers moist soils and is often found in rocky slopes and ridges at higher elevations.
Common Names
Crataegus roanensis Ashe is commonly known as Roan mountain hawthorn. Other names include Roan mountain thorn, Roan mountain mayhaw, and white haw.
Appearance
The Roan mountain hawthorn has a small crown with branches that spread out horizontally. The leaves are dark green and have serrated edges. The tree produces white, fragrant flowers in the spring, and in the fall, it bears small, red fruits that resemble miniature apples. The bark of the tree is grayish-brown and develops deep grooves and fissures with age.
Uses
Crataegus roanensis Ashe has been used in traditional medicine for its ability to support cardiovascular health. The bark, leaves, and fruits of the tree contain bioactive compounds that help to regulate blood pressure, improve circulation, and lower cholesterol levels. The tree is also popular as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes, where it is used as a hedge or a specimen tree.
Light Requirements
Crataegus roanensis Ashe thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is an adaptable plant that can tolerate different light conditions, but it grows best when exposed to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Temperature Requirements
This plant species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8, where the average annual temperature ranges from -20°F to 70°F. It can tolerate cold and hot temperatures but prefers cooler climates.
Soil Requirements
Crataegus roanensis Ashe prefers well-draining soils that are rich in organic matter. It can grow in various soil types, such as sandy, loamy, or clay-based soils, as long as they have a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. The plant can tolerate drought conditions but performs better when the soil is continuously moist.
Cultivation methods:
Crataegus roanensis Ashe is mostly cultivated as an ornamental shrub in gardens and as a hedge plant. It can grow in a variety of soils, including loam, sandy loam, and clay. It thrives in well-drained soil, but it can also tolerate poor drainage. The plant prefers full sun exposure, but it can also grow in partial shade. To establish the plant, propagate it using seeds or cuttings in spring. Plant the seedlings or cuttings at a spacing of 2 to 3 feet.
Watering needs:
Crataegus roanensis Ashe requires moderate watering during the growing season. It is drought tolerant but does best if the soil is kept evenly moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out entirely, but ensure that it does not remain waterlogged.
Fertilization:
The plant does not require much fertilizer, but if you want to give it a boost, apply a balanced fertilizer in spring. You can also amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure.
Pruning:
You can prune Crataegus roanensis Ashe to maintain its shape and promote dense growth. Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. You can also thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation and penetration of light into the plant's interior.
Propagation of Crataegus roanensis Ashe
Crataegus roanensis Ashe, commonly known as Roan Mountain Hawthorn, is a deciduous shrub that is indigenous to the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. The plant reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet and a spread of 6-8 feet. It produces clusters of pink to white flowers in the spring and has showy red fruit in the fall. The shrub attracts wildlife, especially birds, and it makes a great addition to any landscape. Propagating this plant can be done using various methods.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is the most common and efficient method of propagating Crataegus roanensis Ashe. Seeds should be collected in the fall when the fruit has ripened and before it drops to the ground. The collected seeds should be cleaned and stratified 60 to 90 days before planting. This will break the seed's dormancy and improve germination rates. Plant the stratified seeds in the spring in moist, well-draining soil. The seeds will germinate within 2-3 weeks.
Cuttings Propagation
Cuttings propagation is an alternative method of propagating Roan Mountain Hawthorn. It is less common and less efficient than seed propagation but can also be successful. Cuttings should be collected in the late summer or early fall. Choose healthy and mature branches, and cut them into 4-6 inch lengths. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a moist and well-drained potting mix and cover it with a plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse. Keep the soil moist and the cutting in indirect sunlight. Roots will form within 3-6 weeks.
Layering Propagation
Layering propagation is a method that is less commonly used for Roan Mountain Hawthorn but can also be successful. Choose a low-hanging branch, strip the leaves off the lower half of the branch, and bury that section in a shallow trench in the soil. Make sure the buried section is secured to the ground with a stake. Cover the buried section with soil and keep the soil moist. Roots will form on the buried section within 6-12 months. Once the roots are well-formed, cut the branch from the parent plant and transplant it to a new location.
Overall, Roan Mountain Hawthorn is an easy plant to propagate using seeds or cuttings, and with proper techniques, the propagation method selected can be both efficient and a rewarding way to produce offspring of this beautiful shrub.
Disease and Pest Management for Crataegus roanensis Ashe
Crataegus roanensis Ashe, commonly known as the Roan Mountain hawthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree with white flowers and red berries. This plant is vulnerable to a range of diseases and pests that can impact its growth and livelihood. Effective management strategies can help to prevent or reduce the severity of these problems.
Common Diseases
One of the most common diseases affecting Crataegus roanensis Ashe is fire blight, caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora. Symptoms of fire blight include wilting, blackening of leaves and twigs, and a scorched appearance on branches. This disease is highly contagious and can spread quickly, particularly in warm, humid conditions.
To manage fire blight, it is important to remove and destroy infected plant material as soon as possible. Pruning affected areas at least 8 inches below the visible damage can help to prevent the spread of the disease. Copper sprays can also be applied to help control bacterial growth.
Another disease that can affect Crataegus roanensis Ashe is cedar-apple rust. This fungal disease can cause yellowing, spotting, and premature leaf drop. It is most commonly transmitted to hawthorn plants via spores from infected cedar trees.
To prevent cedar-apple rust, it is important to remove cedar trees from the vicinity of the hawthorn plant. Fungicidal sprays may also be used to control the disease, particularly if applied early in the season.
Common Pests
One of the most destructive pests affecting Crataegus roanensis Ashe is the apple maggot fly. The larvae of this fly tunnel into the fruit and cause it to become discolored and deformed.
To manage apple maggot flies, it is important to remove and destroy any fallen fruit from around the base of the plant. Sticky traps and insecticide sprays may also be used to control adult flies.
Another common pest affecting the plant is the hawthorn lace bug. These insects feed on the sap of the leaves, causing them to yellow and become stippled. Severe infestations can cause premature leaf drop and stunted growth.
To manage hawthorn lace bugs, it is important to monitor plant growth regularly and prune away any infested branches. Insecticidal sprays may also be used to control the population, particularly in the early stages of the infestation.
By implementing these disease and pest management strategies, gardeners can help to ensure the health and longevity of the Crataegus roanensis Ashe plant.
