Cockspur hawthorn is a frequently planted specimen tree, easily recognized because it has a very strong horizontal growth habit.It reaches 20 to 30 feet tall and has 2- to 3-inch-long thorns. Use it in mass plantings, in hedges, or as a single specimen. White, five-petaled flowers with a musky smell are produced in abundant clusters in May. In September and October, ornamental red fruits adorn the plant. Fall color ranges from bronze-red to purplish-red. Due to its sharp thorns, it is best not to plant this tree on a front lawn or where children may be playing. A recommended selection, Inermis, is a thornless variety.

The cockspur hawthorn is an effective tree for the landscape.