Aria edulis
Whitebeam
Overview
Aria edulis is a small to medium deciduous tree 20-50 feet (6-15 m) tall with an oval to rounded crown, sometimes multi-stemmed. Its leaves are broadly oval, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, with shallow lobes and toothed edges, dark green above and densely white-felted beneath, so the whole crown flashes silver-white as the wind lifts the foliage. In late spring it carries flat clusters of small white five-petalled flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) across. These are followed in autumn by clusters of rounded scarlet to orange-red berries 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) wide, which birds strip quickly once ripe. Autumn foliage turns russet-gold before falling. The young bark is smooth and grey, becoming shallowly ridged with age. It grows on well-drained soils, including thin, chalky, and limestone ground, and tolerates wind, drought, and urban conditions. The tree is wind-firm and compact for its height, though it casts moderate shade and the fallen berries can stain paving. It is slow-growing and long-lived once established.
Native Range
Aria edulis is native to Europe, especially on chalk and limestone hills, from Britain and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean mountains. It grows in open woodland, scrub, cliffs, and rocky slopes on lime-rich ground.Suggested Uses
Planted as a compact street, garden, and parkland tree, in shelterbelts, and on chalky or exposed sites where larger trees struggle. The spring flowers, white-backed leaves, and autumn berries give interest across the seasons and feed birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
Flat clusters of small white flowers open in May, lasting one to two weeks. Bees and other insects work the open clusters. By autumn the flowers have become bunches of red berries that ripen from late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
