Harvest and drying Hawthorn Flowers

Hawthorn flower harvest. In the field, this particular haw has unusually large, leathery leaves. Bees and blooms fill the day! Then, there are the newly emerging branches otherwise known as 'thorns'. Branches are cut in 2-4' lengths for carrying out of the field on sheets. The branches are laid helter-skelter on sheets to allow air flow while drying. Once dry, the second picking begins where the blooms and leaves are carefully picked off the branches. Voila, the dried haw flower ready for bagging...