Why hawthorn is the perfect tree for small gardens, and five varieties to plant A mystery tree spotted in a Suffolk hedgerow turns out to be the ideal all-rounder for small plots 10 January 2021 • 9:25am A native hawthorn tree on Exmoor. The North American version – commonly known as cockspur – is often seen in gardens Credit: Getty Images Last year, more than any other, I was asked to recommend a medium-sized tree for a domestic garden, invariably intended as a standalone feature. I suppose, forced to spend unending time at home throughout 2020, we’re all either radically revamping our gardens or upping sticks to gardens new. And what single act of horticultural intervention – nay, what hopeful gesture – beats planting a pretty tree?