Whitebeam - Sorbus aria

Irish name - Fionncholl
Rose family - Rosaceae

Characteristics

• This is a large shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 15m (45ft).
• The trees live to about 80 years.
• In its early years growth is rapid, but at the age of ten it slackens pace and from then on its progress is very slow.
• It regenerates well after cutting.
• The oval leaves are somewhat variable in shape and usually finely toothed. They are shiny green above when fully mature.
• The whiteness on the underside of the leaves is caused by the felted hairs which check water loss on the dry soils where the tree thrives.
• The young shoots are covered with hairs and the white flowers are borne in wide flattened heads followed by light scarlet fruits.
• Whitebeam is often planted in gardens.

Season

• The leaves unfold in late April.
• The flowers bloom May through to the end of June.
• The fruits are ripe in September.
• Leaves fall in late October after turning yellow and fawn.

Preferred Environment

• Whitebeam is found in light woodland and scrub, chiefly on chalk and limestone. It does occur on sandstone although less frequently, and is not found wild on acid soils.
• It is very wind-resistant and tolerates a smoky atmosphere.
• Whitebeam casts a fairly heavy shade especially when tree-sized, but is itself light-demanding.

Wildlife Associations

• The fruits are popular with birds and squirrels, having a better pulp/seed ratio than the otherwise similar rowan fruit.

Uses

• Whitebeam yields a hard pale wood, which has been used for small items of furniture, such as stools.

Please remember...

Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).