Hawthorn

The little Hawthorn Tree - Craobh Sgitheach in Gaelic, ‘craobh’ pronounced ‘croov’ meaning ‘tree’ – is native and widespread across Scotland, but locally rare, and much of its spread is the result of planting. It grows well in a variety of environments, from rich valleys to exposed hillsides and plains, and deep in woodlands. In early Spring it is a flush of vivid green as the little leaves appear on the stiff thorny branches. Gaelic for ‘thorn’ is ‘dris’. The leaves are five-lobed, becoming dark green on the spiky twigs The bunches and strands of little flowers open in May, cascading down the slender branches, soft white like moonlight. On Summer afternoons their clean soap-like scent wafts across the fields. The wee hard fruits begin to form – in Gaelic the ‘sgeachag’, in English the ‘haws’. The haws darken to deep red late in the year, long-preserved to sustain birds through the harsh winter months, and – boiled and sweetened – to make jelly and preserves. Under the close canopy the trunk and branches are dark grey and coppery brown, cracked and peeling with age, and the smooth tight-grained timber is hard and shock-resistant, making it ideal for axe handles. The young trees are compact and thorny and ideal for hedging. This is one of our few native trees that can grow right up against other bigger trees, almost hugging them, sharing ground without harm to one or other. In some situations the Hawthorn can live for three hundred years. The tree’s Gaelic name ‘Sgitheach’ can be seen in place-names such as Loch Sgitheeach in Jura, and Abhainn Sgitheach – ‘Hawthorn River’ – in Easter Ross. The Gaelic name for the fruit – ‘Sgichean’ – is a place-name in Mull.