The red mountain fruit is hawthorn (scientific name: Crataegus pinnatifida). Crataegus pinnatifida, or Chinese hawthorn, is a species native to East Asia. Unlike most hawthorns, this species has only a few short spines and is more open and upright, but it does bloom and provide the red berries common to the genus. The edible fruits in particular make them attractive to birds.

The flowers have an unpleasant smell, somewhat like rotting fish, which attracts mosquitoes, which are the primary means of fertilization. When first opened, the flowers emit a more pleasant fragrance.

Chinese hawthorn is easy to grow and prefers moist loam soil with good drainage. Once established, it can succeed in overly wet soils and can also tolerate drought and heavy clay soils.

It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, although the amount of sun will determine the amount of fruit. Trees grown from seed take 5 to 8 years to begin bearing fruit; grafted trees usually bloom in the third year.

Growing environment

Grows on hillside forest edges or bushes. Altitude 100-1500 meters.

Hawthorn is highly adaptable and likes a cool and humid environment. It is resistant to both cold and high temperatures and can grow between -36 and 43°C. It likes light but can tolerate shade. It is generally distributed in barren hills, sunny slopes, semi-sunny slopes and valleys. The slope is preferably 15 to 25 degrees.

Drought tolerant, branches and leaves tend to grow leggy when there is too much water. The soil requirements are not strict, but it grows well in slightly acidic sandy loam with deep, fertile, loose and well-drained soil.