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Sorbus domestica

Sorbus domestica

Service tree, sorb tree, true service tree

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Description

Sorbus domestica (service tree) is a medium-sized deciduous tree that comes from South-East Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. Since the rise of the Roman Empire, it has spread and become naturalised elsewhere. Because it was prized for its large, tasty fruits, the service tree is often found planted in abandoned orchards. It is an uncommon, light-loving tree that grows in deciduous forests and does not take well to competition from other plants. Usually found growing with Quercus petraea, Ulmus minor and Acer campestre. The service tree is slow growing and generally forms a single stem. It can get approximately fifteen to twenty metres tall with an egg-shaped to round crown shape.

The leaves of Sorbus domestica are unevenly pinnate, matt green and gently serrated on the edges. In October, they change to a beautiful yellow and orange to deep red. The flowers are fairly large within the Sorbus genus and appear between the end of April and June in loose inflorescences attractive to butterflies, bees and other insects. The yellow, orange or red fruits are fairly large, and usually shaped like apples or pears. They are eaten by birds and small mammals but also harvested by humans. The bark is grey-brown, retains its smoothness and later peels off in longish rectangular strips. The winter buds are also noticeably glossy and tacky.

The Sorbus domestica is a useful ornamental and edible tree which can live for a few hundred years but is prone to canker. It can be planted in any deep, well-drained and fertile soil. This heat-loving tree can cope very well with dry conditions and grows on virtually any type of soil although it prefers neutral to acidic soils. The service tree is suitable for medium-sized to large gardens and landscapes where it has important ecological value. Fruits can be eaten when ripe or overripe but can also be used to make alcoholic drinks (cider), jam and juice. The wood is thick and very valuable for carpentry.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees fruit trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

food forest landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

8 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds small mammals humans

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Sorbus domestica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Sorbus domestica standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Sorbus domestica standard tree
flowers flowers
Sorbus domestica flowers
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
leaves leaves
Sorbus domestica leaves
fruits fruits
Sorbus domestica fruits
fruits fruits
Sorbus domestica fruits
fruits fruits
Sorbus domestica fruits
fruits fruits
Sorbus domestica fruits
bark bark
Sorbus domestica bark
bark bark
Sorbus domestica bark
bark bark
Sorbus domestica bark
bark bark
Sorbus domestica bark
twigs twigs
Sorbus domestica twigs

Flowers

Flowers

umbels striking big unpleasantly scented

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

April - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

matt green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous ovate dentate pinnate

Autumn colour

yellow yellow-orange orange orange-red dark red

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow red green

Fruits

striking edible large berry apple pear

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough spiral

Twigs

Twig colour

cinnamon-brown

Twigs

bare vertical branches thickly branched

Root system

Root system

deep highly branched

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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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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E info@ebben.nl

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