Crataegus laevigata, or the English hawthorn, is a small, low-branching tree known for its profuse spring bloom, and is native to Europe and North Africa. It thrives in full sun, moist, well-drained soils, and requires minimal pruning in late winter or early spring. It is recommended to plant as buffer strips around parking lots, for median strip plantings in the highway, and is a useful reclamation plant, screen, and residential street tree. This species has been successfully grown in urban areas where there is air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, and drought are common, making it useful in urban tree plantings.