Hawthorn fruit by the canal near Bollington, Cheshire

Image: © Roger D Kidd Taken: 5 Sep 2014

The hawthorn trees and shrubs are very well laden with ripening haws this year. The Woodland Trust website gives the following information: Hawthorns are hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower. Flowers are highly scented, white or occasionally pink with five petals, and grow in flat-topped clusters. Once pollinated by insects, they develop into deep red fruits known as 'haws'. It is also known as the May-tree, due to its flowering period, and it is the only British plant named after the month in which it blooms. Common hawthorn can support more than 300 insects. It is the food plant for caterpillars of many moths, including the hawthorn, orchard ermine, pear leaf blister, rhomboid tortrix, light emerald, lackey, vapourer, fruitlet mining tortrix, small eggar and lappet moths. Its flowers are eaten by dormice and provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. The haws are rich in antioxidants and are eaten by many migrating birds such as redwings, fieldfares and thrushes, as well as small mammals. The dense thorny foliage makes fantastic nesting shelter for many species of bird. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/learn/british-trees/native-trees/hawthorn/

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