It is flat-topped, horizontally layered small tree with glossy, small oval leaves that can turn a brilliant bronze-red in the fall.  It produces relatively large fruit (1/2” across) that can fall in great abundance in good years.

Hawthorns are especially important trees for wildlife as their fruit is eaten by many birds, and their tangle of thorny branches often provides good cover to birds seeking shelter.

The species is highly susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust, causing significant deformities with leaves and fruits in wet years and when planted near cedar trees.

Crusgalli is Latin in origin and means “leg of a cock” in reference to the thorns of the tree that resemble a rooster's spurs.