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Scandosorbus intermedia

Swedish Whitebeam

Rosaceae

Southern Sweden, the Baltic region, and northern Europe

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–7

Overview

Scandosorbus intermedia, long known as Sorbus intermedia, is a deciduous tree reaching 30-50 feet (10-15 m) tall with a dense, rounded to broadly oval crown. The leaves are oval, 3-5 inches (8-12 cm) long, with shallow triangular lobes that deepen toward the base, dark glossy green above and covered with grey to yellowish felted hairs beneath. In late spring it bears flat clusters of white five-petalled flowers 0.4-0.5 inch (10-12 mm) across, followed in autumn by rounded orange-red berries about 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide. The autumn foliage turns yellow to russet before falling. The species reproduces apomictically, setting seed without fertilization, so trees come largely true from seed. It is widely planted as a street and park tree for its tolerance of urban pollution, wind, and coastal exposure. A limitation is its susceptibility to fireblight, a bacterial disease that can kill branches and whole trees in warm, wet conditions.

Native Range

Scandosorbus intermedia is native to southern Sweden, the Baltic region, and nearby parts of northern Europe. It grows in woodland and on rocky ground and has been planted far beyond its native range as an urban tree.

Suggested Uses

Scandosorbus intermedia is planted as a street, avenue, and park tree, and in gardens as a medium-sized specimen tolerant of exposure and pollution. The spring flowers supply nectar for insects and the autumn berries feed birds. It is used in coastal and urban plantings where tougher conditions limit other trees.

How to Identify

Recognized by oval leaves with shallow lobes that are dark green above and grey-felted beneath, set on a densely crowned tree. White flower clusters in spring give way to rounded orange-red berries in autumn. The lobed, felt-backed leaves separate it from the toothed but unlobed leaves of common whitebeam (Sorbus aria) and the fully pinnate leaves of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'

Width/Spread20' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in late spring, usually May, when flat white flower clusters open across the crown. The flowers are followed by green berries that ripen to orange-red by early autumn. The fruit persists into autumn and is taken by birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green above, grey beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Scandosorbus intermedia grows in full sun to part shade in most well-drained soils, tolerating a pH from about 5.5 to 7.5 and coping with clay, sand, and chalk. It withstands urban pollution, wind, salt spray, and compacted ground, which suits it to street and coastal planting. Young trees establish readily and need watering only in their first seasons. The species is hardy and needs little routine care once established. Fireblight can affect trees in warm, humid regions and is the main health concern. Berries dropping onto paving can be a nuisance near paths.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. Young trees are shaped to a clear trunk where used as street trees. Any growth showing fireblight is cut out well below the affected area and removed.