True Service Tree

Once grown for its fruit in orchards, and very occasionally found growing wild in SE Ireland, Sorbus domestica is a long-lived and very slow-growing, deciduous tree which can eventually grow large in good conditions, but is usually found only as a small to medium-sized tree. Can also be grown as part of a fruiting hedge. Creamy-white flowers, sometimes tinged pink, and larger than those of rowans, appear in spring, followed by small, reddish-yellow, pear-shaped fruits in autumn. The leaves are like those of the common rowan, with greyish down on the undersides. The True Service Tree comes late into bearing, and needs mild conditions.

Site: Sheltered and mild
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil, acid to neutral soils preferred
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Spring, autumn
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: Eventually 33’-50’ (10-15m) Spread: 26-33’ (8-10m)