Sorbus domestica

A deciduous tree reaching 15 m at a medium rate, hardy to UK zone 6, not frost tender. Flowers in May; seeds ripen September to October. Hermaphrodite, insect-pollinated, but requires another compatible plant for fruit set as it is not self-fertile. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay well-drained soils. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Thrives in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist conditions, and withstands strong winds but not coastal exposure. Noted for attracting wildlife.

Description

A tree with spreading branches. It loses its leaves in the winter. It grows to 15 m high. The bark is orange-brown and scaly and rough. The leaves are alternate and compound. The leaves are 22 cm long. There are 11-21 leaflets along the stalk. They have rounded bases and sharp teeth along the edge. The buds are sticky. The flowers are 1.5 cm across. The flower heads are domed with a cluster of flowers and about 10 cm across. The fruit are small and pear shaped. It is yellow-green and flushed with red. They are 3 cm long. They are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. For raw eating, it is typically bletted — stored in a cool, dry place until it reaches the verge of over-ripeness — developing a delicious, tropical-fruit flavour at that stage. Bletting will often begin naturally while the fruit is still on the tree; fruits eaten straight from the tree in mid-September can be excellent. The fruit can also be dried and used like prunes. It grows up to 3cm across.

Traditional Uses

The fruit can be eaten when very ripe. Fruit become sweeter after frost. They are also dried. They are used for jam. The fruit can be fermented with grain to produce a cider-like beverage.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The seeds probably contain hydrogen cyanide. This is the ingredient that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Unless the seed is very bitter it should be perfectly safe in reasonable quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to S.W. Asia and S. Europe. It grows on mountain slopes and in deciduous forests. Mediterranean. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean, North Africa, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position. Tolerates light shade, though it fruits better in a sunny position. The service tree is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit. There are 2 distinct forms, S. domestica pomifera. (Hayne.)Rehd. with apple shaped fruits (which ripen from September) and S. domestica pyriformis. (Hayne.)Rehd. with pear shaped fruits which ripen from October. Plants are susceptible to fireblight and to canker (which is especially prevalent in areas with high rainfall). They grow best in the drier areas of Britain, which in general means the eastern half of the country. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. Partially self-fertile, but fruit production is higher with cross-pollination. The fruits are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn, from August to October (Northern Hemisphere), once they are fully ripe. Sorbus species usually flower in late spring to early summer, generally from May to June (Northern Hemisphere), producing clusters of white or pink flowers. Sorbus species are generally moderate to fast-growing, with some species reaching maturity in about 5 to 10 years, depending on species and growing conditions. Sorbus species, known as rowan or service trees, provide both edible fruit and ornamental value, making them good choices for food forests. Several Sorbus species, such as S. domestica, S. torminalis, and S. aria, are more adaptable to the warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters of Mediterranean climates. S. aucuparia may also be grown in cooler or higher elevation areas within Mediterranean climates, though it prefers less heat.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Where seed is plentiful, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed. Stored seed benefits from 2 weeks of warm stratification followed by 14–16 weeks of cold stratification, so sow as early in the year as possible. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle. Top-growth is very slow in the first year or two as the plant focuses on root development. Keep seedlings in pots in a cold frame through their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring.

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannin. The wood is fine-grained, very heavy, and hard to split, and is used for furniture, screws, and wine presses. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals, the canopy provides shelter and roosting habitat, and fallen leaves and bark support overwintering invertebrates.

Production

It is a slow growing tree.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Notes

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Berkenye, Jerba, Oskorusa, Serbal, Servera, Sorbo, Uvez

References (45)

• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 87
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 136
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 939
• Bonet, M. A. & Valles, J., 2002, Use of non-crop food vascular plants in Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition (2002) 53, 225–248
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 970

More from Rosaceae

Rosa gymnocarpa

Wood rose, Baldhip rose

Rosa helenae

Rosa hemsleyana

Rosa henryi

Rosa iberica

Rosa indica

Monthly Rose, Bengal rose