Ash Mountain #10 pot

Sorbus americana

Zones: 2 – 5

• Produces showy white flowers that are somewhat fragrant in late spring or early summer
• Puts on a spectacular fall show, with foliage turning yellow, orange and reddish-purple
• Features leaves up to 12" long with 11-17 leaflets that are oblong or spear-shaped and 1½–4" in length
• Yields clusters of small, red or orange-red fruit that are berry-like and approximately 3/8" in diameter; they ripen into very showy fruit in autumn and persist into the winter
• Grows in an oval shape
• Is easy to grow and generally carefree

Tree Details

Shape

Oval

Growth Speed

Slow

Scientific Name

Sorbus americana

Mature Height

10' – 30'

Shipping Height

3' – 4'

Highlights

The American mountainash is a delightful little tree — whether in a yard, a park, or a forest setting. The showy spring flowers, vibrant clusters of berries, and amazing fall color make it a great landscape choice for the colder regions. And bird enthusiasts flock to this tree, as the berries attract many different types of birds.

Sun Preference

Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade

Soil Preference

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Sandy, Well Drained, Wet

Wildlife ValueThis tree is an important source of food for many small birds and mammals including catbirds, thrushes and waxwings. Other wildlife attracted to the tree include butterflies, bees and larger mammals such as moose. The fruit persists through winter and has been known to intoxicate birds after it ferments in a few fall frosts.

History/LoreThe American mountainash was first cultivated in 1811. The bark was used as an anti-malarial medicine by pioneer doctors because of its close resemblance to the quinine tree.

This tree has been referred to as a variety of different names in literature: Rowantree, rowan berry, roundwood, mountain sumac, winetree, dogberry, service tree, wild ash, quickbeam, life-of-man, Indian mozemize, missey-moosey and mose-misse.