Dear Master Gardener : My family is Irish and according to Gaelic folklore the hawthorn is strongly associated with fairies and is often referred to as the fairy tree. Because of this it is believed to be bad luck to cut one down or remove branches so as not to disturb the little folk. In Ireland you often see them next to holy wells where people decorate them with ribbons, rags, or other votive offerings. In honor of my Irish heritage, I would like to plant a black hawthorn in my yard if they are hardy in this area. Do black hawthorns grow here?

Answer : Crataegus (hawthorn) is a large genus in the Rosaceae family. According to the Minnesota DNR, black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii), is a North American species of special concern. It is found only near Lake Superior in Lake and Cook co

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