Whitebeam
Irish Name - Fionncholl
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.