Scandosorbus spp.

Swedish whitebeam

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 4–7

Overview

Scandosorbus spp. is a genus in the rose family (Rosaceae) recently segregated from Sorbus spp., containing the single species S. intermedia, the Swedish whitebeam. It is a deciduous tree of stabilized hybrid origin, reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 m) tall with a rounded, fairly dense crown 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide. The leaves are 3-5 inches (8-12 cm) long, broadly oval, with shallow lobes toward the base and toothed margins; the upper surface is dark green and the underside is covered in grey to whitish felted hairs. Flat clusters of white five-petaled flowers 0.4 inch (1 cm) across open in late spring, followed by oval orange-red berries about 0.5 inch (12 mm) long that ripen in autumn. Foliage turns yellow to russet before falling. The tree tolerates urban conditions, coastal exposure, and compacted soil but is susceptible to fireblight in warm, humid regions. Growth is moderate, adding 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) per year when young.

Native Range

Of hybrid origin in northwestern Europe, established as a wild-breeding population in southern Sweden, the Baltic region, and parts of northern Europe. Grows in open woodland, rocky slopes, and disturbed ground, and is widely planted as a street tree well beyond its native range.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a street tree, in car parks, and in exposed or coastal sites where pollution and wind tolerance are needed, spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m) apart. The dense crown casts moderate shade in parks and large gardens. Berries draw birds in autumn.

How to Identify

Recognized by broadly oval leaves 3-5 inches (8-12 cm) long with shallow basal lobes, toothed margins, and grey-white felted undersides. Flat clusters of white flowers give way to oval orange-red berries about 0.5 inch (12 mm) long. The lobed, white-backed leaves separate Scandosorbus spp. from the unlobed leaves of true whitebeams and the fully divided leaves of rowans.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'

Width/Spread20' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring

White flower clusters open in late spring, roughly May, over a period of about two weeks. Berries develop through summer and ripen orange-red in autumn, persisting into early winter until taken by birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green above, grey-white below

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

The tree grows in full sun to light shade in most well-drained soils, including chalky, sandy, and compacted urban ground. It withstands wind, coastal salt, and air pollution, which accounts for its use as a street tree. Young trees are watered through the first two summers until established, after which they tolerate periodic drought. Fireblight can kill branches in warm, humid climates and appears as blackened, wilted shoot tips. The tree is hardy in USDA zones 4-7 and is short-lived on hot, dry sites. Suckers occasionally arise from the base.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to remove crossing, damaged, or crowded branches and to raise the crown for clearance. Remove fireblight-affected wood well below the visibly damaged area when symptoms appear. Little routine pruning is needed once the framework is established.