103. Cathedral Azarole
Overshadowed by the splendour of Salisbury Cathedral, an unusual hawthorn is a quiet delight.
Visitors to Salisbury Cathedral enter via a doorway to the south of its imposing west front where a handful of small trees grow against the high wall of the cloister, including an azarole. It is an unusual member of the hawthorn family, and has a passing resemblance to the familiar hedgerow shrub, but is altogether more substantial with more indented leaves, more copious blossom, and bigger, orange berries.
Visit now – it’s in flower!
Species details
Azarole
Crataegus azarolus
Where to find itÂ
Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2EJ
///crass.blast.shell | 51.064481, -1.798339
Azarole notes
Azaroles are native to southern Europe and western Asia where they grow around the Mediterranean littoral. They are prized for their fruits in their native range: a plump, sweet berry which can be yellow, orange or scarlet. It has been rarely planted in England where it does well for centuries, but the delights of its fruits are known to only a few aficionados.
Urban Tree Festival update
The Festival started yesterday and runs until 19th May. There’s loads to get involved in, do check out the programme!Â
This evening:
The Street Tree x Fruity Walks with London National Park City
Join me and Fruity Walks for an exploration of the City of London followed by a film screening at the National Park City Visitor Centre on Fleet Street at 5:00. I cannot promise azaroles on our route, but there are many other surprising fruit trees to see.