TreeRM

Rowan

Sorbus aucuparia 路 Rosaceae 路 also Mountain ash

A small tree to about 15 m with feathery leaves, creamy spring flowers and heavy bunches of red berries that thrushes, waxwings and blackbirds strip in autumn. It tolerates altitude and exposure better than almost any other British native and fits easily into a small garden or street verge. One of the most widely planted native trees in UK and Irish towns.

Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winterMedium growthSun or part shadeModerate water
Rowan
Wikimedia Commons, file Rowan_tree_20081002b.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.

  • 馃嚛馃嚜 Germanysource
  • 馃嚞馃嚙 United Kingdom 路 Most common in the north and west; widely planted as a street treesource
  • 馃嚠馃嚜 Irelandsource
  • 馃嚠馃嚫 Icelandsource
  • 馃嚦馃嚧 Norwaysource

Adapted

Introduced, but it handles this climate and has not shown a habit of spreading.

  • 馃嚦馃嚳 New Zealand 路 Introduced per WCVPsource

Care

Plant in autumn; water in dry spells for the first two years. Little pruning is needed; remove damaged wood in winter. Fireblight, silver leaf and European mountain ash ringspot virus can affect it, and deer browse young trees. Lifespan is up to about 200 years but garden trees are often shorter-lived.

Benefits

WildlifeBirdsPollinatorsFlowersFall colorFits small spaces

Good for

Small yardStreet treeparksHedgerowReforestation

Watch out for

Messy fruit