Summary

Overview
There are around 80 species in the Sorbus genre, a large number of which grow in the UK. The most common species are the Rowan or mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) and Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). Rowan grows throughout the UK. Whitebeam is found naturally in the mid-south of England and has been introduced sporadically throughout England, Wales, and Scotland as it is used in hedgerows and alike. It is not found in Ireland. Wild service (Sorbus torminalis) is found in small numbers in the midlands and south of England. A large number of the Sorbus genre are found in specific geographic areas. (A number of which are only found in the Bristol channel area; including Service-tree (Sorbus domestica)).
The English name for Mountain Ash stems from its pinnate (resembles a feather) leaves; which resemble that of the Ash tree, and the fact that it will grow at higher altitudes than most English trees. Whitebeam stems from the white flowers that cover the tree/shrub and 'beam'; an old English word for tree. Service may stem from 'cerevisia' which is Latin for beer as wild service fruit was used to sweeten beer.
Traditionally uses include tool handles, cog wheels, cart wheels, baskets, spoons, and billiard cues. It was sometimes used as a replacement for yew in longbows. The sweet fruit of Service was used to sweeten beer, as mentioned above. It was used in brewing to produce chequerberry beer; the tree is sometimes referred to as the chequers tree. It was also believed to protect agains 'black' witchcraft.

Bushcraft
Although it doesnt have a mass of uses, its abundance means its often available. Its a good firewood and the berries can be eaten but only in low quantities as it very acidic and can cause vomiting. They can be made into a jelly or jam.

General Info

Gallery and Identification

Features common to majority of species:
Size - Species variation - 3m to 25m (Sorbus minima to Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria))
Bark - Smooth or finely ridges in Rowan and Whitebeam. Fisured in Service tree and fissured into plates or resembling small squares in wild service. (which is where its alternative name 'Chequers' stems from)
Leaves - Rowan and Service trees have pinnate
leaves (the leaves branch out on opposite sides of the stem. Comes from the Latin word "pinna" meaning feather) and whitebeam and many of the variants have simple, toothed leaves. They hybridise freely meaning there can be some confusing leaf shapes.
Wild service has jagged, palmate leaves.
Reproductive Parts - The majority produce small cream/white flowers in clusters. Colourful berries (red/orange/brown) in small clusters in most species, between 0.5cm to 1.5cm in length. Service produces larger pear/apple shaped fruit up to 2cm long.
Distribution - Rowan grows throughout the UK. Whitebeam is found naturally in the mid-south of England and has been introduced sporadically throughout England, Wales, and Scotland as it is used in hedgerows and alike. It is not found in Ireland. Wild service (Sorbus torminalis) is found in small numbers in the midlands and south of England. A large number of the Sorbus genre are found in specific geographic areas. (A number of which are only found in the Bristol channel area; including Service-tree (Sorbus domestica)).

Resources

• Firewood

Food

• Fruit - Very acidic so not recommended to eat raw but often used in jams