The pinnately compound leaves of the rowan tree make it an attractive ornamental flowering tree. The spectacular clusters of white spring blooms and colorful orange or red berries that appear in the fall are favorite features of rowan trees. Rowan trees are found across North America and Europe, but they are cold-hardy.
In temperate climates, rowan trees are quite simple to grow, such as the American rowan tree (Sorbus americana) and the European rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia). In the spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the delicate understory trees have a lot of aesthetic value to offer to a garden setting.
They’re also very hardy and can handle the harshest winter temperatures. This article aims to provide a guide for identifying rowan tree species in a garden. Rowan berries, flowers, leaves, and bark are all described and illustrated to help you identify this lovely tree.
What is Rowan Tree (Sorbus)?
The rowan tree, also known as mountain ash, is a deciduous, cold hardy tree that is small in stature. The American rowan tree, which is native to eastern North America, is the most common species of rowan. The sun-loving tree thrives on acidic soils due to its thick, dark-green leaves, beautiful flowers, and berries.
The American mountain-ash is the popular name for the American rowan tree (Sorbus americana). It thrives in the highlands, woodlands, rock outcrops, and lowlands and is an attractive tree. The compound pinnate leaves resemble ash tree leaves, giving the common name “mountain ash.” The ash trees (spp.) and the American mountain ash have a significant difference. The serrated leaflets of the petiole (Fraxinus) grow alternately, not opposite one another.
In mythology, the rowan tree is a venerable figure. Rowan leaves or berry clusters are thought to offer protection by hanging above an entranceway. The rowan tree is said to represent knowledge and bravery. The name rowan comes from European languages that mean “to redden,” which alludes to the bright crimson or orange color of the tree berries.
Rowan Tree Identification
Rowan trees have pinnately complex leaves, flat-topped clusters of white blooms, and colorful red or orange fruits that distinguish them from other trees. Between 10 and 30 feet (3 and 9 meters) tall, rowan trees can be found. White spring blooms give way to brilliantly colored berries on their compound leaf leaflets, which grow alternately on stems.
Rowan Tree Berries
Rowan berries are berries that develop in thick clusters. One of the rowan tree’s most appealing characteristics is its bright red or orange berries. The crimson or orange-colored edible berry-like pomes produce in thick clusters and are 0.25 inch (6 mm) in diameter. In late summer or fall, eye-catching colorful berries blossom and stay on the tree until winter.
Rowan tree fruit is a kind of pome or accessory fruit, despite being called a berry. The bright hues of the little spherical fruits stand out against the dark vegetation, which grows thickly in clusters. Once the tree’s leaves fall, the crimson or orange berries add vibrant to an autumn scene.
Berries from the Rowan tree are edible. The tiny spherical pomes, on the other hand, are harsh to eat when freshly picked off the tree. Rowan berries are also dangerous and must be processed to eliminate the acid before they can be consumed. Rowan berries are frequently used to make jellies that are delicious. In the autumn and winter, the vivid hues of rowan tree berries attract birds and small mammals for food.
Rowan Tree Leaves
One of the most distinguishing features of the rowan tree is its leaves. The pinnately complex leaves are 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long. Lanceolate leaves with serrated margins 2″ to 4″ (5 – 10 cm) long make up each leaf. Alternate leaf growth is one of the characteristics.
The deciduous leaves of the rowan tree. In the spring and summer, after the leaves have expanded, they become dark gray to grayish-silver. Rowsan tree leaves turn golden yellow in the fall, adding to a scene’s beauty. The tree’s aesthetic visual appeal is further enhanced by the green leaves becoming yellow, red, or burgundy.
Rowan Tree Flowers
The rowan tree blooms in late spring with tiny white flowers growing in clusters. Corymbs, which are flat-topped clusters of little white blooms, develop. The tiny 4-petaled urn-shaped blooms grow in clusters that are 3″ to 6″ (7.5 – 15 cm) wide. Flowers that bloom late in the spring last until summer.
Rowan Tree Bark
The bark on the rowan tree is smooth and gray, with some lichen growth. The gray bark becomes scaly as the tree ages, with irregular patterns on the trunk formed by numerous lenticels (raised pores). The reddish brown twigs of the rowan tree have fuzzy buds at the ends and are a red color.
Rowan Tree Growth Habit
The open, spreading crown of a rowan tree makes it a slow-growing tree. Full sun or partial shade are ideal for the deciduous tree. It flourishes on well-drained and constantly wet soils. In USDA zones 2 through 6, rowan trees are cold-hardy. Planting rowsan trees in a garden setting gives them visual appeal over most of the year, making them perfect for planting.
The rowan is a dense foliage tree with vividly colored berries that decorate spring and summer landscapes, and its white flowers adorn the landscape throughout the season.
Types of Rowan Trees
The American rowan tree (mountain ash) and the European rowan tree are the two most common varieties of rowan trees. Several additional species share similar characteristics, but they are not as common.
American Rowan Tree (Sorbus americana)
The American mountain ash is another name for the American rowan tree (Sorbus americana). The attractive ornamental tree grows 15 to 35 feet (4.5 to 10 meters) tall and broad. Dark green compound pinnate leaves, vivid orange-red berries, and thick foliage giving a spreading crown are some of its identifying characteristics.
This rowan species grows in USDA zones 2 through 6, and is also known as the American mountain ash. For optimum blossoming and fruit production, the American rowan thrives in full sun. It will, however, accept some shade during the midday hours. In a landscape, identifying the American rowan tree is simple.
A small tree sits on top of an open rounded crown. It has a smooth, light gray bark with dark gray patches. The trunk of the tree becomes scalier as it ages, with cracks and splits appearing.
Thanks to its four-season visual appeal, the American rowan tree is a good choice for a garden landscape. In late spring, white flowers bloom throughout the summer, followed by leaves in early summer. The American rowan tree then produces stunning yellow leaves in the autumn, contrasted with brilliant red berries.
Finally, on bare branches in the winter, orangey-red berry clusters persist. The American rowan tree is a fantastic shade tree, lawn tree, or ornamental flowering tree in a sunny environment. The acidic, well-drained, loamy soil favored by the rowan tree. Rowan trees generally fail in deep, clay soil.
American rowan tree berries: Little, brilliantly colored orange-red spherical fruits cluster together to make berry-like pomes. The astringent flavor of the edible berries Nonetheless, once the leaves have dropped from the tree, they stay on it and add to its winter allure.
American rowan tree leaves: Each petiole bears 9 to 17 leaflets, and the pinnately compound leaves are 6” to 10” (15 – 25 cm) long. The wedge-shaped leaflets are 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long and may be found on 2 to 4 feet (0.6 – 1.2 m) stems. In the autumn, the green leaves turn vibrant yellow.
American rowan tree flowers: The 3″ to 6″ (7.5 – 15 cm) width of the showy flowers is flat-topped corymbs. Little bell-shaped creamy-white blooms with four petals make up each blossom cluster. In June and July, the american rowan tree blossom.
USDA growing zones: 2 to 6
How to grow the American rowan tree
In a sunny spot with at least six hours of sunlight everyday, plant an American rowan tree. The tiny ornamental tree thrives best in rich, acidic soil with excellent drainage. Only till the top 2″ (5 cm) of the soil is dry, then water the ground once a year around the root area. To get rid of dead or sick branches from the American rowan tree, all you have to do is cut it back. Late in the autumn is the best time to trim the tree.
European Rowan Tree (Sorbus aucuparia)
The European mountain ash is a kind of rowan tree native to Europe (Sorbus aucuparia). This attractive tree has a lot of appeal in a landscape because to its clusters of bright white blooms, beautiful dark-green foliage, and rich red berries. Rowan trees in Europe may reach a height of 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) and an width of 8 to 25 feet (2.4 to 7.6 meters).
The European rowan tree, sometimes known as the European mountain ash, thrives in USDA zones 3 through 7 and blooms throughout the year. In the coldest zones, however, the small ornamental tree may struggle unless it is planted in full sun. It develops at a pace of fewer than 12 inches (30 centimeters) each year.
As it ages, European rowan tree bark becomes scaly and ranges in color from dark to light gray. The slightly rough-textured bark lowered lenticels, and white specks on the tree distinguish it from other trees.
The European rowan tree bark has landscaping potential throughout four seasons, similar to the native American species. The dark green fern-like leaves of spring cover spreading stems and are prominent features. The corymbs are embellished with bright, flat-topped corymbs that last throughout the summer. When the leaves change color in the fall, the tree takes on stunning red, purple, and golden yellow hues. After that, in a barren winter landscape, dark red berries provide color.
The European rowan tree, which grows in full sun, is a popular landscape tree for sunny gardens. It’s an ideal flowering shade tree for small to medium-sized yards because of its dense foliage and short height. Hardy trees may also be grown as lawn or specimen trees.
European rowan tree berries: The crimson or burgundy berries have dense clusters and are dark red or orange in color. The tiny summer fruits, which ripen in late summer or early fall, are 0.33″ (0.84 mm) in diameter. These bright orange-red berries are an excellent food source for wildlife and last all winter on the tree.
European rowan tree leaves: Pinnately compound leaves with 9 to 15 leaflets per petiole are found on this plant. The leaves are 5″ to 9″ (13 – 22 cm) long and have lance-shaped, oblong serrated leaflets that measure 2.5″ (6 cm). From spring to early fall, the deciduous leaves are green before turning yellow. In the autumn, the displayy leaves take on magnificent hues of golden yellow, crimson, or purple.
European rowan tree flowers: Little white urn-shaped blossoms create thick, gorgeous flattened clusters that make up the flowers. The white flowers last the majority of the summer and bloom in late spring.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 7
How to grow European rowan tree
In a sunny landscape, the European rowan tree is very easy to grow. In full sun or partial sun, plant the European rowan tree. The soil must be well-drained and watered regularly to ensure that it is healthy. MULCHING AROUND THE ROOT AREA AND watering whenever the top layer of soil dries out is what it means.
Other Types of Rowan Trees
California rowan tree (Sorbus californica): The small, spherical orange-red pomes of this rowan tree type are produced by a shrub-like tree with serrated leaflets. USDA zones 2 to 7 are appropriate for the native rowan tree, which grows to 13 feet (4 meters) in height.
Sorbus fruticosa: The reddish twigs, fern-like green leaves that turn red in the fall, and eye-catching white berry-like pomes make this species a medium-sized deciduous shrub or small tree. The tree may grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and is shrub-like in appearance.
Sorbus fruticosa in autumn
White-fruited rowan tree (Sorbus glabrescens): The abundant clusters of pinkish-white berries distinguish this rowan tree cultivar. The glaucous blue-green leaves, white flowers with yellow stamens and white fruits hanging on bare branches in the winter are some of the identifying characteristics of this rowan tree.
Dwarf Chinese mountain ash (Sorbus reducta): This dwarf rowan tree, which grows to be only 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, is ideal for little gardens and containers. In the spring and summer, the pinnate leaves are dark green, then in the autumn they change to a beautiful crimson color. The white blooms of the plant are accompanied by red or pinkish-white berries that turn white by autumn.
Sargent’s rowan tree (Sorbus sargentiana): This tree, native to China, has the largest leaves of any rowan tree species. The lance-shaped dark green leaves have serrated edges and are heavily veined. The colorful foliage changes from orange-pink to dark red to purple in the fall. It has white flower clusters and orange or red berries, just like other rowan trees.
Sargent’s rowan tree (Sorbus sargentiana)