Sorbus domestica – Service tree

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  3. Sorbus domestica
Rosaceae

Sorbus domestica – Service tree

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Slow grower with an undulating ovoid crown. Later the branches bend making the tree broader to spherical. S. domestica has low branches, a fact that causes the trunk to be short and the tree to end up as broad as it is tall. After some years the grey bark develops deep grooves. The imparipinnate leaves are approx. 20 cm long and have 11 - 21 leaflets. These have a somewhat felt-like underside and a sharply serrated edge: they are oval to ovoid and 3 - 8 cm long. The autumn colour is yellow to yellowish-orange. Flowering is followed by the emergence of apple- or pear-shaped edible fruits. The fruits are yellowish-green in colour and have a red blush on the sunny side. S. domestica can attain a great age but it is very sensitive to canker. The tree produces very hard wood that is used in furniture making. Ideal for natural parks or as a forage tree for bees.

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Specifications
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Height
10 - 15 (20) m
Width
8-10m
Crown
ovoid to spherical, half-open crown
Bark and branches
grey, deeply grooved, twigs glossy brown
Leaf
imparipinnate, approx. 20 cm, 11 - 21 leaf segments, dark green, feathered leaf
Autumn colour
yellow, orange
Flowers
white, in umbels with felt-like hairs, Ø 12 cm, May/June
Fruits
apple- or pear-shaped, 2.5 - 3 cm long, yellowish-green, red on the sunny side, edible fruits
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
makes few demands, suitable for extremely hard soils
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates partial paving
Winter hardiness zone
5b (-26,0 to -23,4 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant), valuable for butterflies, provides food for birds
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil loamy soil nutrient-poor soil peaty soil sandy soil tolerates partial paving resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) suitable for dry soil can withstand wind 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green white May early sprout average growing Conspicuous bloom Feathered leaf Attractive autumn colour valuable for bees (honey plant) valuable for butterflies provides food for birds non-toxic (usually) Ornamental fruit Edible fruits
Frequently asked questions
Sorbus domestica

Sorbus domestica can eventually reach a height of 10 - 15 (20) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Sorbus domestica is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 10 - 15 (20) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The leaves of Sorbus domestica turn yellow, orange in autumn.

The right time to plant Sorbus domestica is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Sorbus domestica with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Sorbus domestica blooms in may.
General