The Devon Whitebeam is widespread across Devon, especially North Devon, it just reaches into Somerset in the east and Cornwall in the west where it’s known as the Cornish Whitebeam kerdhinen kernow.
The Sorbus genus has recently undergone a comprehensive revision. For Sennikov & Kurtto (2017) have published a new checklist of Sorbus s.l. see our full report, which provides an updated classification of this group according to the latest phylogenetic studies. This revision finally recognises the 5 different subgenus within the original Sorbus genera. Of the species occurring in Britain, the only one that remains in the (Sorbus) genus is Rowan: Sorbus aucuparia L., and its hybrid Sorbus × proctoriana T.C.G.Richs.; Sorbus torminalis is now its own separate genus (Torminalis) Wild Service Tree: Torminalis glaberrima (Gand.) Sennikov & Kurtto. (Syn. Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz.); Sorbus domestica is now its own separate genus (Cormus) True Service Tree: Cormus domestica (L.) Spach (Syn. Sorbus domestica L.); Then of the Whitebeams, they’ve quite rightly been split into three separate genera (Aria), (Hedlundia), and (Karpatiosorbus).
As regards to the general size of Whitebeam trees Karpatiosorbus devoniensis is amongst the largest. In open woodland it may grow into a substantial tree but is more often seen as a shrub in hedgerows.
The fruits have been reputedly picked, sold and eaten in Devon, and have been made into wine. The name ‘French Hales’ has been applied and is probably derived from ‘Alisier’ (French for Whitebeam), why, we don’t know, as this tree is not known in France.
At Trebrown Nurseries we maintain our own registered seed stands on Trebrown Farm, which remain the only seed stand registered in Cornwall. Karpatiosorbus devoniensis is not a FRM controlled species.
