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                                                    Sorbus Spp.

 

We have 4 Sorbus species on our site:

 

                    

               

                    

                                            

                     

                  

                                

             

 

 

 

We have planted around 50 of these trees. They don't like dry conditions, many of our trees died during the hot summers on 2005 and 2006. They are probably best suited to damp conditions.

 

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This has not been a very successful experiment as most of our trees have died. They didn't like the wet conditions of 2007 and 2008. They died faster in the lower-lying areas than in the higher, more free-draining parts. Now we have 4 left out of 25 planted.

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of those endless sorbus hybrids. The tree, a deciduous hybrid related to the rowan, was first noticed in a small lay-by at Watersmeet in North Devon in the 1930s with a no-parking sign tacked to the bark, inevitably it was nick-named the "No parking Tree". It was given the name officially in March 2009 after scientists undertook a biochemical analysis to confirm that the tree is a new species.

 

It is a fast growing tree with bunches of white flowers in Spring and clusters of large brown seeds in the autumn. According to PFAF the fruits are edible after "Bletting" or allowing to overripen until the flsh becomes mushy. They may be edible but I don't find them very tasty.

 

I obtained my specimen about 10 years ago and, unlike most of my other Sorbus collection, has thrived.

 

 

 

 

                               

                                                     Devon Whitebeam

 

 

                               

                                                              Flowers

 

 

                                

                                                            Fruits

 

 

 

 

 

This is native broadleaved species, naturally found on poor, damp soils in the South-east of England. We have found that it grows quite happily on our neutral pH, free-draining soils when it is in a sheltered position. It has an attractive Maple-like leaf and has good autumn foliage. It is supposed to be an infallible indicator of ancient woodland; so it's a good idea to document where they have been planted. We planted 50 of them and around 50% are still surviving after 8 years..

 

 

                       

Wild Service Tree