Crataegus x lavallei, more commonly known as the Hybrid Cockspur Thorn tree, has glossy, dark-green, rounded foliage which adopts wonderful shades of crimson and bronze in the autumn. Pretty, white flowers appear in May followed by large, orange/red haws produced in the autumn. Both the flowers and fruits provide a beautiful contrast against the dark foliage and thorned branches.
Lavallei will grow to an estimated height and spread of 5 x 4 metres in 20 years and has a good dense head. It will grow in almost any position including coastal, exposed, polluted and damp sites and is very popular with wildlife.
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AKA Hybrid Cockspur Thorn, Hawthorn, May tree
Our pot grown Hybrid Cockspur Thorn trees can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.
Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.
We recommend planting Hybrid Cockspur Thorn trees with a staking kit. For single stakes, place the stake at an angle to avoid penetrating the rootmass and knock it in until it is firm. Use a buckle tie, placing the spacer between the stake and tree. For further information, visit the advice section
If you’re planting in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Irrigation kits make it easier.
Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.
You can prune Hybrid Cockspur Thorn trees in summer, after flowering, to help maintain a clear stem. By pruning the lower branches you will raise the crown, creating a more attractive form. If it requires any tidying up, this can be done in autumn. Remove and damaged or crossing branches and ensure there is enough light reaches the inner canopy.
Covid-19: We are still open! We are dealing with orders as quickly as we can and will be in touch about delivery if you already have an order with us.
Trees on pre-order are not ready to send out yet and an estimate of when they will be ready for despatch is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.
1 small tree (most trees under 1.5 metres in height) : £9.95 + vat
1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £11.95 + vat
2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £14.95 + vat
1-4 trees delivered by pallet (inc. mature Japanese Maples): 24.95 + vat
The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.
Mature and pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode rather than quantity (starts from £48 + vat).
Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.
All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 10 days of placing the order. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.
There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date.
Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.
Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.
Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees. For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.
The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. Below are definitions of terms:
Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.
Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.
Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.
Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.
Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.
Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.
Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.
Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.
Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:
Standard either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard 10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard 12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height
| Plant Specification | Form | Supplied Size | Root type | Price | Quantity Qty | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Stem Tree | 150-200cm | 10L pot | £71.99£59.99 (ex VAT) (VAT Free) (ex VAT) (inc VAT) (VAT Free) (inc VAT) | 1
|
