An Unknown Native - The Wild Service Tree

An Unknown Native - The Wild Service Tree

by

Ian Parsons

Above: An old Wild Service Tree on the boundary of an ancient woodland in Oxfordshire. ©Rob Read.

A native tree that is often indicative of ancient woodland or an ancient hedgerow, a tree with beautiful autumn foliage, it is a tree whose fruits have named many a pub and possibly the official country residence of our prime ministers, it is a tree that perhaps produces the most valuable timber in the country, yet it is also a tree that many do not know.

The Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis) is found growing naturally mainly in central and southern England, occasionally reaching as far north as Cumbria, but only straying further when planted. It is widespread, but with rather scattered distribution across southern Europe, favouring warmer areas. It is a member of the Sorbus genus, and is therefore closely related to the Rowan and the Whitebeam. Along with the Whitebeam, the Wild Service Tree is one of the ‘parents’ of our many endemic Whitebeam species. The Sorbus genus sits within the very large Rosaceae, or Rose, family and the tree is indeed related to the roses you may have growing in your garden.

Here are some tips to help you identify this tree:

Identification Tips

Form: When growing in woodland it can be drawn up to 28 metres in height, when light not heavily restricted it will form a large rounded dome. New shoots appear distinctively straight. Often forks and has heavy limbs. Variable in shape when growing in an old hedgerow, but straight shoots noticeable.

Bark: On young trees grey brown and smooth, becoming darker brown and forming small squarish scale-like plates.

Twigs: Straight and shiny, grey brown in colour. Slightly downy when first sprouting, but very soon becoming smooth. Buds are green and rounded, looking like peas stuck alternately on to the twigs.

Leaves: Distinctive symmetrical sharp lobed shape with central leaf vein from which all other veins emanate. Shiny on underside. Bright show of autumn colour, both red and yellow.

Flowers:  Showy clusters of small creamy white flowers.

Fruit: Small apple-like berries, starting green and ripening to a reddish brown. The surface is speckled with pale lenticels that show distinctly against the darker background.

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