Hawthorn berry harvesting is a new one for me this year. They are sweet and mild if you get them at just the right time, and in past years I was tasting them too early in fall. This year, Washington hawthorn was sweet and mild in late October. But by that time, single-seeded hawthorn was beginning to rot, so next year I’ll look for those in mid-October.
I owe some credit to Josh Fecteau’s recent hawthorn post, which inspired me to try hawthorn berries again. As Josh points out, there are many hawthorn species, perhaps 50 in New England. And, in all of North America, possibly a thousand species, according to George Symonds (from his wonderful book Tree Identification Book : A New Method for the Practical Identification and Recognition of Trees
Why bother with hawthorns? They are beautiful, interesting, and tasty wild edibles with known health benefits. Some people use the berries to make hawthorn jelly, but I have yet to try this. Berries, leaves and flowers can be used to make a tea. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see how I am making hawthorn berry extract.
I’m going to describe two species here, to exemplify the general characteristics. That should help you recognize a hawthorn when you see one, but if you are uncertain that you have a hawthorn when foraging, please check with additional sources until you ARE certain, before eating the berries.
Hawthorn berries are the fruit of hawthorn trees and shrubs. They have been used for centuries for food and herbal medicine. Knowing when to harvest hawthorn berries is important to get the best flavor and health benefits. Here is a guide on identifying when hawthorn berries are ripe and ready for picking.
Hawthorn Berry Growth Stages
Hawthorn berries go through distinct phases as they grow and ripen
-
Green berries – After the white or pink hawthorn flowers bloom in spring, small, hard green berries form These are not ripe and should not be harvested
-
Red berries – As summer progresses, the berries turn red. However, they are still hard and bitter at this stage.
-
Deep red ripe berries – In early fall, the berries turn a deep, dark red and soften. This is when they are ripe and ready for picking.
-
Overripe berries – After the peak ripeness in fall, berries may start to wrinkle and rot on the branches. These are past ripe and not good for eating or medicine making.
Signs Hawthorn Berries are Ripe
Here are the signs that hawthorn berries are fully ripe and ready to harvest
- Deep, dark red color – no traces of green
- Soft, juicy texture – no longer hard
- Sweet, appley flavor – not bitter or sour
Ripe berries should easily come off the branch when gently twisted or pulled. Unripe green and red berries will stay firmly on the branches.
When to Harvest Hawthorn Berries
The timing of hawthorn berry ripening can vary depending on climate, weather conditions, and hawthorn species. However, in general:
-
Early fall – Start checking berries in early September. Washington hawthorn and other early species may be ready for harvest.
-
Mid to late fall – October is often the peak ripeness for many hawthorn species. Try single-seeded hawthorn, English hawthorn, and other common varieties.
-
Early winter – Some hawthorn berries ripen late and can be picked as late as early December.
Berries on south facing branches often ripen first. Check berries on several branches around the whole shrub or tree to gauge ripeness.
Aim to harvest hawthorn berries soon after they reach peak ripeness in the fall. Overripe berries left on the branches will deteriorate in quality.
How to Harvest Hawthorn Berries
Use these tips for efficiently harvesting ripe hawthorn berries:
- Wear gloves and long sleeves – hawthorn branches have sharp thorns
- Gently pull off berries, leaving stems attached
- Use pruners or scissors for hard to reach berries
- Avoid crushing or bruising berries
- Use a container with a wide opening for easy collecting
- Refrigerate berries soon after picking if not using right away
Hawthorn berries are easiest to harvest after leaves have fallen, as there will be less foliage obscuring the branches and thorns.
Drying and Storing Hawthorn Berries
Fresh hawthorn berries only last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. To preserve a harvest for later use:
-
Drying – Spread washed berries on racks or trays. Dehydrate at 115°F until hard and brittle. Store in airtight containers.
-
Freezing – Arrange berries in single layers on trays and freeze solid. Transfer to freezer bags. Frozen berries will keep for 6-12 months.
-
Extracts – Cover berries with vodka or other high proof alcohol to make medicinal extracts.
Properly stored dried berries will retain their health benefits and flavor for up to a year. Frozen berries are better for making food items like jams or syrups.
Culinary Uses
Hawthorn berries have a sweet, apple-like flavor when ripe. They can be used to make:
- Jams, jellies, and fruit spreads
- Juices, syrups, and cordials
- Pies, crumbles, and other baked desserts
- Fermented into wine, mead, or vinegar
- Tea blends and herbal infusions
Both the berries and leaves have been used as spices and flavorings. Young leaves can be eaten fresh in salads when collected in spring.
Medicinal Benefits
Hawthorn berries, leaves, and flowers have many traditional medicinal uses backed by scientific research. They are most commonly taken to:
- Support heart health and cardiovascular function
- Lower high blood pressure
- Improve circulation
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Aid digestion
Hawthorn is often prepared as a tea, tincture, or herbal extract to harness its bioactive compounds. Always consult your healthcare provider before using hawthorn for any health condition.
Identifying Hawthorn Shrubs and Trees
Here are tips for identifying hawthorn in the landscape:
- Shrub or small tree growing up to 49 feet tall
- Sharp thorns on branches
- Lobed, toothed leaves that are oval or egg-shaped
- Clusters of 5-petaled white or pink flowers blooming in spring
- Small apple-like fruits ripening in late summer/fall
Key Takeaways
- Harvest hawthorn berries when they are fully ripe in early to mid fall.
- Look for deep red color, soft juicy texture, and sweet flavor.
- Gently twist berries off branches and store properly after picking.
- Use fresh berries soon after harvesting or preserve by drying or freezing.
- Hawthorn berries have edible and medicinal uses once fully ripe.
Knowing the ideal harvesting time and correct identification is key to getting the best quality hawthorn berries for food and health benefits. Pay close attention to when they ripen in your area and look for signs of ripeness. With the right timing, you’ll be rewarded with a nutritious wild edible and herbal medicine.
Single-seeded hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna
Also called common hawthorn, this is a European native which has escaped cultivation and naturalized in North America. It is sometimes branded as an invasive plant, but I don’t find it very often, and when I do see it, there isn’t a lot of it in one area. Perhaps it is invasive in other parts of the country, but it does not seem to be particularly aggressive here. Like Washington hawthorn, single-seeded hawthorn grows as a shrub or small tree, and bears clusters of white blooms in late spring. The oval red berries ripen a little earlier (than Washington hawthorn) in fall and contain a single seed (hence the name). The toothed leaves are more deeply lobed than those of Washington hawthorn, but the thorns are much smaller, only about 1/2 inch to an inch in length.
Summary of hawthorn characteristics
- Grows as small tree or shrub
- Smallish, toothed leaves which are lobed to varying degrees
- Thorns which vary in size, depending on species
- Clusters of flowers (usually white, but some species have pink or red) in spring
- Clusters of edible red berries in fall
- Berries contain one or more seeds which should not be consumed due to cyanide content
- Fruits most prolifically in sunny spots
How to Harvest Hawthorn Berries | Wild Edibles UK
FAQ
How do you collect hawthorn berries?
The scarlet berries should be picked from the beginning of October onwards. If you pick them too early, you risk the seeds being immature. Collect the bunches directly from the tree by gripping the branch below the bunch and pulling. In this way, no damage is caused to the parts of the tree that will continue to grow.
When to eat hawthorn berries?
Collecting. The leaves can be collected in Spring for use in salads or at any time for teas. The petals can be used for salads. The berries are best after a frost in Autumn but as frosts appear later and later try the berries, they are ready when sweet.
How long do hawthorn berries stay on the tree?
Foraging for hawthorn can be great in the winter as the fruits are very durable to the seasons, and often last through to the spring, making them a great food for winter birds.
Can you eat hawthorn berries raw?
Yes, you can eat hawthorn berries raw, but they are known for their tart, slightly sweet, and sometimes mealy taste, similar to an unripe apple.