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Sorbus torminalis

Sorbus torminalis

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Description

Sorbus torminalis (wild service tree) is common throughout Europe as far as the Caucasus and North Africa. Wild service trees are found in the secondary canopy layer in deciduous forests alongside Quercus petraea, Fraxinus angustifolia and Pyrus pyraster. This species was described in 1763 by Austrian botanist and doctor Heinrich von Crantz. Sorbus torminalis is an upright, mostly single-stemmed tree with a conical crown shape seven to ten metres wide but multi-stem forms also occur. In most situations, the wild service tree reaches a height of ten to fifteen metres but can even grow as tall as twenty-five metres in the wild. 

In April and May Sorbus torminalis produces white flowers with the characteristic Sorbus scent. In flower, the wild service tree is a paradise for bees and other insects on account of the very extensive blossom that can cover the tree. The fruits are mostly apple-shaped, brownish in colour and speckled white. After the first frost they become soft and edible. In terms of flavour, they are similar to medlars. Birds or small mammals are regular visitors to the wild service tree in the autumn and thus responsible for distributing the seeds. The foliage can be very variable in form, having jagged edges with a far broader and prominent pointed lobe close to the base. In the autumn the foliage turns from deep green to yellow, orange and finally russet-brown. The bark of juvenile trees is smooth and light brown. In older trees, the bark peels off. 

As a healthy tree, which is attractive all year round, Sorbus torminalis is a wonderful choice with great potential for the future. The wild service tree is a perfect tree for parks, streets or medium-sized gardens. Once established, it is a very drought-tolerant species. It responds very well to late autumn pruning even though natural form and beauty are preferable. The tree is not fussy about soil although prefers clay or loam and neutral or chalky growing conditions. Sorbus torminalis can be long-lived and in favourable conditions attain a considerable size.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

food forest eco planting landscape planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

pyramidal pyramidal

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

10 - 15 m

Width

7 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds small mammals nectar value 3 pollen value 3

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Sorbus torminalis? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Sorbus torminalis standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Sorbus torminalis multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Sorbus torminalis multi-stem
characteristic characteristic
Sorbus torminalis characteristic
flowers flowers
Sorbus torminalis flowers
flowers flowers
Sorbus torminalis flowers
flowers flowers
Sorbus torminalis flowers
flowers flowers
Sorbus torminalis flowers
flowers flowers
Sorbus torminalis flowers
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus torminalis leaves
fruits fruits
Sorbus torminalis fruits
fruits fruits
Sorbus torminalis fruits
bark bark
Sorbus torminalis bark
bark bark
Sorbus torminalis bark
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs
twigs twigs
Sorbus torminalis twigs

Seasonal colours

Sorbus torminalis seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

corymbose striking standing big scented

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

matt green buds grey-green underside yellow-green

Leaves

deciduous palmate leathery underside hairy doubly serrate lobate

Autumn colour

yellow yellow-orange orange red-brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

cinnamon-brown green

Fruits

striking edible small berry

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

hairy bare thickly branched

Root system

Root system

deep extensive central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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