We're looking at a Crataegus laevigata, ("Midland hawthorn") of 'Crimson Cloud' variety at our local nursery. The tree is about 3-4 meters tall with trunk an inch thick or more, but its clearly been pruned as a 'shade tree' (all branches removed up to about 2 meters). We're really more interested in a "hawthorn bush" rather than a 'hawthorn tree'. But Hawthorns are fairly hard to come by in these parts! (Eastern NB) The question: is there a practical way to prune this tall tree into a more bushy and spreading specimen over the next couple of years? Or should we just keep looking?
