Description European Mountain Ash Latin: Sorbus aucuparia Height: Up to 50 ft Spread: 15 feet, plant 10 foot spacing for Shelterbelt purposes Sun exposure: Full sun- partial shade Hardiness zone: 2b Root system: Deep, wide spreading Growth rate: Moderate Lifespan: 80 years Plug material This ‘4’ season ornamental tree sure has a way of turning heads! Showy spring clusters of white flowers and attractive summer foliage. Brilliant red and orange leaves in the fall or the show-stopping orange clusters of berries it produces and retains into the winter months. The fruit are eaten by songbirds and various migratory birds in winter. Also known as Rowan; the height can vary with this tree, reaching maturity around 10 years old. It is commonly used for slope stabilization due to their deep and widespread roots. Prefers moist, well-drained loams, but will tolerate heavy clay to acidic to mildly alkaline soils. It is a medium-sized tree that is used more as an ornamental than for shade. Does not tolerate drought or water logged conditions. Due to its bitterness, raw rowan berries normally are not very palatable, but can be debittered and made into compote, jams, jellies, pressed into juice, syrups and chutneys. Some also make wine and liqueurs. Debittering can be accomplished by freezing, cooking, or drying, which degrades the parasorbic acid. The fruit are deep coloured in August but usually only harvested in October after the first frost. Seedling size is approximately 12” tall , 1 year old.
