Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
The Common Whitebeam or White Beamtree is a wide conical tree growing to heights of 15m. Small, white blossoms from May onwards. The red or orange fruits are of particular ornamental value. Used as a solitary tree or an avenue tree.
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Appearance
The Common Whitebeam or White Beamtree is a wide conical tree growing to heights of 15m. Small, white blossoms from May onwards. The red or orange fruits are of particular ornamental value. Used as a solitary tree or an avenue tree.
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Leaves
Ovate to broadly ovate leaves, alternate, in two rows, pointed, with double serrated edge and wedge-shaped base. Leaves are glossy dark green above, denuding and tough-skinned; white-green and felty below. 8-12 cm long and 4.6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long.
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Leaf upperside
Ovate to broadly ovate leaves, alternate, in two rows, pointed, with double serrated edge and wedge-shaped base. Leaves are glossy dark green above, denuding and tough-skinned; white-green and felty below. 8-12 cm long and 4.6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long.
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Leaf underside
Ovate to broadly ovate leaves, alternate, in two rows, pointed, with double serrated edge and wedge-shaped base. Leaves are glossy dark green above, denuding and tough-skinned; white-green and felty below. 8-12 cm long and 4.6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long.
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Flowers
Flowering period V-VI. Pretty white blossoms with 5 petals each, approx. 1.5cm wide. Panicles are 5-8cm wide, calyx lobes are white-felted with 2-3 styles. Of particular ornamental value.
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Fruits
Red or orange apple fruit, ovate, measuring 1-1.2cm in diameter. The edible fruits are pretty but tasteless.
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Bark
Pale grey bark, smooth when young develops shallow furrows with age. Branches on the sunny side are glossy red-brown, those in the shade are glossy dark green. Round cross-section.
Application
Flowering tree, solitary tree, bee pastures, orchards, parks, street / avenue tree, forage for birds, bird protection, woodland
Native regions
Europe, Africa (Northwestern Africa)
Location parameters
Light: sunny to off-sun; soil type: sandy-loamy to loamy-clayey; nutrient concentration: normal to high; pH value of the soil: slightly acid to highly alkaline; soil: dry to moist.
Demands
Plant for shorelines and swampy ground; very fume-hardy, tolerates urban climates; intolerant of salt; needs well aerated soil, deep soil, no waterlogging. Light: sun to off-sun.
Growth
6 - 15m high, 4-6m in diameter
Leaves
Ovate to broadly ovate leaves, alternate, in two rows, pointed, with double serrated edge and wedge-shaped base. Leaves are glossy dark green above, denuding and tough-skinned; white-green and felty below. 8-12 cm long and 4.6cm wide, leaf stem 0.5-1.5cm long.
Flowers
Flowering period V-VI. Pretty white blossoms with 5 petals each, approx. 1.5cm wide. Panicles are 5-8cm wide, calyx lobes are white-felted with 2-3 styles. Of particular ornamental value.
Fruits
Red or orange apple fruit, ovate, measuring 1-1.2cm in diameter. The edible fruits are pretty but tasteless.
Bark
Pale grey bark, smooth when young develops shallow furrows with age. Branches on the sunny side are glossy red-brown, those in the shade are glossy dark green. Round cross-section.
Roots
Heart-rooting, deep-rooting.