Black Hawthorn vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Hawthorn vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Crataegus douglasii

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bayberry
Black Hawthorn

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.

Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: white
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple