What hardiness zones is Sorbus aucuparia suitable for?

Sorbus aucuparia is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

What are the sun requirements for Sorbus aucuparia?

Sorbus aucuparia requires Full Sun.

How much water does Sorbus aucuparia need?

Sorbus aucuparia has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Sorbus aucuparia

European mountain ash

Rosaceae

Europe and western Asia (Iceland to Siberia and Caucasus)

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height20-40 feet (6-12 m)

Width15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m)

Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 7

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Sorbus aucuparia is a small to medium deciduous tree reaching 20-40 feet (6-12 m) tall with a spread of 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m), developing an upright, oval to somewhat open, rounded crown. Bark is smooth, silvery-gray on young trees, becoming lightly fissured with age. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 5-9 inches (13-23 cm) long, with 9-15 oblong-lanceolate, sharply serrate leaflets, each 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, creating a fine, fern-like texture. Foliage is medium to dark green, turning yellow-orange to reddish-purple in fall — variable but often attractive. Flowers are small, creamy-white, 5-petaled, borne in flat-topped terminal corymbs 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) across in May to June, with a somewhat unpleasant musty odor. Fruit is the primary ornamental feature: small pomes 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) across, in dense, heavy, pendulous clusters, ripening bright orange-red in August to September and persisting into winter until consumed by birds. Fruit is technically edible but astringent and bitter raw; traditionally used in Europe for jellies and preserves after cooking. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) per year. Moderately short-lived at 50-80 years. Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is a serious concern in the Pacific Northwest, causing branch dieback and potentially killing trees. Not related to true ash (Fraxinus); the common name derives from the superficially similar compound leaves.

Native Range

Native to Europe and western Asia, from Iceland and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean and east to Siberia and the Caucasus. Occurs in forests, forest margins, and rocky hillsides from sea level to timberline. Widely naturalized in North America. Can self-seed in the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, street tree, or in mixed borders where the multi-season interest (flowers, fruit, fall color) can be appreciated, spaced 15-20 feet (4.6-6 m) apart. Particularly effective near water features where the pendulous fruit clusters reflect in the water. Excellent wildlife tree — fruit attracts over 60 bird species. The moderate size is suitable for residential settings. Select fire-blight-resistant cultivars when available. NOT suitable for hot, dry, or alkaline sites.

How to Identify

Identified by alternate, pinnately compound leaves with 9-15 sharply serrate leaflets, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white flowers, and dense clusters of bright orange-red berries. Bark is smooth, silvery-gray. Distinguished from true ash (Fraxinus) by alternate (not opposite) leaves, serrate (not entire or finely serrate) leaflets, and berry clusters (not winged samaras). Distinguished from Sambucus (elderberry) by alternate (not opposite) leaves and pome (not drupe) fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 40'

Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Creamy-white flowers in flat-topped corymbs appear in May to June, lasting 2-3 weeks. Flowers have a somewhat unpleasant musty odor. Fruit ripens bright orange-red in August to September, in dense, heavy, pendulous clusters that persist into winter. Fruit is the primary ornamental feature and is consumed heavily by birds, particularly waxwings, robins, and thrushes.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-white

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but perform best with consistent moisture. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Struggles in hot, dry conditions and alkaline soils. Fire blight is a serious concern in the Pacific Northwest: prune out infected branches 12 inches (30 cm) below visible symptoms, sterilizing tools between cuts. Avoid overhead watering and excess nitrogen fertilization, which promote succulent growth susceptible to fire blight. Sawfly larvae can defoliate trees; monitor and treat if needed.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Establish a strong central leader in youth. Remove crossing, rubbing, and dead branches. Thin congested interior growth to improve air circulation, which reduces disease pressure. Remove fire blight-infected branches immediately during the growing season, cutting 12 inches (30 cm) below visible damage and sterilizing tools between cuts. Avoid pruning during wet weather.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic