Mountain-ash, European, or Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
Rosaceae - Rose

Description

Leaves: Alternate; once pinnately compound; 5" to 9" long; deciduous; 9 to 15 leaflets; leaflets 1" to 2" long, oblong, margin sharply serrate; dark green and glabrous above, whitish beneath; hairy; beautiful yellow, red, or purple fall color.

Twigs/buds: Twigs stout; at first brown and hairy, later becoming gray-brown and glabrous. Buds 1/4" to 3/4" long; red-brown; not sticky; very hairy.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, white, 1/3" diameter, borne in large, flat-topped bunches. Fruit a berry-like pome; round; 1/4" to 1/2" diameter; bright orange-red; bitter taste; liked by birds.

Bark: Thin; gray-brown; smooth or slightly scaly.

Wood: Unimportant; sapwood light colored, thick; heartwood light brown; light; soft; weak; diffuse- porous.

General: Native from Europe to western Asia and Siberia and naturalized in some parts of the northern U.S. and Canada. A small, slow-growing, short-lived tree that prefers cool, moist sites. Shade intolerant. May be insect and/or disease prone, especially when stressed. Rarely should be planted, though limited use in specific situations may be justified.

Landscape Use: Often planted in Utah and elsewhere because of its small size, great fall color, and attractive fruit. Subject to many pests, however, including fireblight and borers, and old trees rarely look good. Zones 3-7.

Cultivars: 'Apricot Queen', 'Asplenifolia', 'Beissneri', 'Black Hawk', 'Brilliant Pink', 'Brilliant Yellow', 'Cardinal Royal', 'Carpet of Gold', 'Charming Pink', Coral Fire™, Edulis', 'Fastigiata', 'Longwood Sunset', 'Pendula', 'Red Cascade', 'Red Copper Glow', 'Scarlet King', 'Wilson', 'Xanthocarpa'.

Characteristics

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