ROWAN (Sorbus ancuparia)

Most rowans are small deciduous trees reaching a height of 10-20m, but some varieties are shrubs. The European Rowan grows to 4-12m and is the most commonly known variety in the British Isles and Europe.

It is a fast growing and short lived tree with a smooth and greyish-brown bark with raised dots (lenticels) across it.

The flowers are creamy white, and blossom in May or June after the leaves have appeared. In autumn the leaves turn bright orange-red before being shed.

The fertilised flowers turn into bright red berries in August. The berries are rich in Vitamin C and are a favourite food for birds, who act as a vector for the seeds. Berries do not appear until the tree is approx. 15 years old.