Sorbus aucuparia L.

European mountain ash, rowan

Two mountain ashes

	You are here Sorbus aucuparia	Sorbus americana
Common Name	European mountain ash	mountain ash
Plant	A deciduous tree 20–40′ (6.1–12 m) tall, with a narrow, oval crown. Twigs have long, bent, soft fine hairs. Bark is gray-green or yellowish, depending upon the variety.	These deciduous trees reach 10–30′ (3–9.1 m) in height and trunks are about 4–10″ (10–25 cm) in diameter. Bark is light gray with a reddish tint and smooth, almost metallic, with horizontal lenticels.
Leaves	Compound leaves are alternate, and 4–9 ⨉ 2–4½″ (10–22 ⨉ 6–12 cm). Each compound leaf is odd pinnate, comprised of 9-15 flat medium green leaflets that are serrate, and oblong-lanceolate. Each leaflet is up to ¾–2½″ (2–6.5 cm) long. Leaf undersides have long, bent, soft fine hairs. Leaves turn yellow to reddish-purple in fall.	Alternate, compound, in groups 1–1½′ (33–43 cm) long. Individual leaflets are about 2–3″ (5–7.6 cm) long and ⅝–1″ (1.6–2.5 cm) wide. Leaf undersides are hairless.
Flowers	Dense clusters of tiny white flowers, with five petals. May.	Dense flattened corymbs are 3–6″ (7.6–15 cm) across. They are comprised of small flowers, each ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around. Each flower is cream-colored, has five petals and 20-30 stamens.
Fruit	Dense clusters of bright orange berries, about 40 to a cluster, are showy and popular with birds. Cultivars are available with pink, yellow, and red fruits. Seeds are light brown, and ⅛ ⨉ 1/32″ (3 ⨉ 1.5 mm) in size.	Flowers become thick clusters of bright orange-red berry-like pomes, ⅛–¼″ (3.2–6.3 mm) around.
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 3b-6	USDA Zones: 3-6
Habitats	Woodland clearings and scrub around and above treeline.	Common on mountains, in moist, rich, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun.

Sorbus aucuparia description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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