Sorbus aucuparia

The Sorbus aucuparia or Rowan tree is a decorative deciduous tree from spring to autumn that is found in large numbers in parks. From May to June, a profusion of small white flowers in corymbs with a diameter of 12 cm (5in) appear. The flowers, 6-8 mm (1in) in size, consist of 5 petals and 15 to 20 stamens.

At the end of summer, they give way to decorative bright red berries that persist until winter. The berries, 1 cm (1in) in diameter, bring joy to birds, especially thrushes, who love them. The foliage of the Rowan tree is deciduous. It is green in colour and pale underneath. In autumn, the leaves, 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8in) long, turn yellow-red.

The bark of the Sorbus aucuparia is smooth and light grey in colour. It becomes covered with white lenticels on old trees. Very hardy, it is a tree native to Europe and Asia. It can live up to 150 years and reach a height of about ten metres. It is most often used as a solitary tree, in free hedges, or in rows. It emits a bad smell.

It is provided as a bare root in small size to create cost-effective hedgerows or mixed hedges.