Wild service-tree - Sorbus torminalis

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Wild service-tree - Sorbus torminalis
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

This medium-sized, deciduous tree occurs in long-established woods and hedgerows on clay or limestone soil and is a noted indicator of ancient woodland. Being a beautiful tree, it is also grown in parks and plantations. It has a dense, oval crown. The leaves are maple-like with three to four lobes either side. They are mid-green, slightly glossy on top and light grey-green beneath. In the autumn the leaves turn yellow-orange, red or yellow-brown. The bark is cracked into squares like hawthorn. Long stalked clusters of small, white flowers, hanging in hairy panicles, are followed by sweet-tasting red-brown berries known as chequers, and which were formerly used to flavour beer. This link is the origin of many pub names. However, judging by modern signs which often display chequer boards or chequered flags, the connection is too frequently unknown to their corporate owners.

Berry-eating birds may eat the brown fruits of this tree. Earlier, the flowers offer nectar to bees and are home to several species of weevil.

Animals

Honey bee, Waxwing, Weevils

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, May to June
Moisture	(Average)
Sunlight	(Full sun to Part-shade)
Origin	Native