Mountain Ash, Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
The Mountain Ash is an attractive small tree with one or more stems and crown diameter of 4-6m. White flowers are produced in umbels shortly after the leaves appear. The edible red berries are highly attractive and provide food for many bird species.
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Appearance
The Mountain Ash is an attractive small tree with one or more stems and crown diameter of 4-6m. White flowers are produced in umbels shortly after the leaves appear. The edible red berries are highly attractive and provide food for many bird species.
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Spring
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Leaves
Odd-pinnate, 12-20cm long, 6-12cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, turn a decorative yellow, red or orange colour in autumn.
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Leaf upperside
Odd-pinnate, 12-20cm long, 6-12cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, turn a decorative yellow, red or orange colour in autumn.
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Leaf underside
Odd-pinnate, 12-20cm long, 6-12cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, turn a decorative yellow, red or orange colour in autumn.
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Odd-pinnate, 12-20cm long, 6-12cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, turn a decorative yellow, red or orange colour in autumn.
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Flowers
Flowering period V-VI, white corymbs appear after the leaves have sprouted. Flower-heads up to 15cm wide. Unpleasant smell.
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Fruits
Pea-sized bright red berries, extremely sour or bitter. Up to 1cm in diameter. Can only be eaten when cooked.
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Bark
Brown or silver-grey bark, smooth when young or with lenticels, with horizontal lenticular banding when older. Branches are glossy dark red-brown or grey.
Poisonousness
Only the ripe fruit is slightly toxic. Only if larger quantities are consumed is there any likelihood of slight symptoms such as diarrhoea or possibly nausea and vomiting.
Application
Afforestation, open fields, pioneer tree, hillside stabilization, soil improvement, wind-break, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, roadside verges, backyards, roof-gardens, gardens, front gardens, verandas, winter gardens
Native regions
Europe
Location parameters
Light: full sun to semi-shady, temperature: warm to cool, soil: dry to wet, stagnant moisture: resistant, soil structure: normal, soil depth: deep to very deep, compaction: to be avoided, soil quality: medium, pH value: 6.0 to 8.0
Demands
Sun to shade; tolerates warmth, suckering, but intolerant of heat; prefers cool, moist locations, frost-hardy; may be damaged by severe and especially prolonged dryness; on all substrates, intolerant of salt, wind-resistant
Growth
Height of growth: 5m to 15m, spread: 4m to 6m, rapid growth potential, growth habits: loose, upright, open crown, often multi-stemmed
Leaves
Odd-pinnate, 12-20cm long, 6-12cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, turn a decorative yellow, red or orange colour in autumn.
Flowers
Flowering period V-VI, white corymbs appear after the leaves have sprouted. Flower-heads up to 15cm wide. Unpleasant smell.
Fruits
Pea-sized bright red berries, extremely sour or bitter. Up to 1cm in diameter. Can only be eaten when cooked.
Bark
Brown or silver-grey bark, smooth when young or with lenticels, with horizontal lenticular banding when older. Branches are glossy dark red-brown or grey.
Roots
Surface-rooting, heart-rooting, expansive root system