The Rowan Sorbus aucuparia is one of our most attractive trees, both in cultivation and in the wilds. It is sometimes called the ‘mountain ash’ because of its compound leaf and upland preference.
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).
The Rowan is rarely a large tree, seldom exceeding fifty feet tall, it is rarely used for timber today. But in the past the crofters in treeless districts of Scotland and Ireland used tough rowan wood for tool handles and cart shafts. It burns well as firewood.
A useful plant for wildlife and should be considered in planting schemes and as a garden plant. The showy white flowers are an excellent nectar source for many invertebrates and the berries are an important food for many birds which disperse the seeds in their droppings.
At Trebrown Nurseries we maintain our own registered seed stands on Trebrown Farm, which remain the only seed stand registered in Cornwall. Rowan is not a FRM controlled species, but is certified under the voluntary FRM scheme.
