Sorbus americana - American Mountain Ash
The American Mountain Ash tree (Sorbus americana) is a tree native to eastern North America from Canada to the mountains of Georgia and as far west as Minnesota. These trees are typically found growing along the forest edge as they prefer full sunlight. They also prefer moist soils so they can also be found in sunny, swampy areas. They can grow from 10 to 30 feet in height depending on the conditions with a spread of around 15 feet.
The leaves are compound leaflets with serrated edges arranged in an alternate pattern along the trunk. The leaflets are dark green in color, narrow, and 2" to 4" long.
The flowers are small and white. They grow in clusters that are 3 to 5 inches across. They are present from May to July.
The fruit are small orange-red to red berries that ripen in August and will remain on the tree through early winter.
The bark on younger trees is gray and smooth. It becomes more scaly with age.
The American Mountain Ash serves as a food source for a variety of species. White-tailed deer and Moose feed on the leaves, twigs, and branches, while smaller mammals and birds eat the red berries. The berries have been known to intoxicate birds after they ferment in a few fall frosts. Butterflies are known to visit the flowers.
This tree can be purchased as a cultivar. The bark was used as an anti-malarial treatment by pioneer doctors because it closely resembles the bark of the quinine tree.
The American Mountain Ash has been known by a variety of different names over time including the Rowan Tree, Rowanberry, Mountain Sumac, Wine Tree, Dog Berry, Wild Ash, and Missey-Moosey.
The leaves are compound leaflets with serrated edges arranged in an alternate pattern along the trunk. The leaflets are dark green in color, narrow, and 2" to 4" long.
The flowers are small and white. They grow in clusters that are 3 to 5 inches across. They are present from May to July.
The fruit are small orange-red to red berries that ripen in August and will remain on the tree through early winter.
The bark on younger trees is gray and smooth. It becomes more scaly with age.
The American Mountain Ash serves as a food source for a variety of species. White-tailed deer and Moose feed on the leaves, twigs, and branches, while smaller mammals and birds eat the red berries. The berries have been known to intoxicate birds after they ferment in a few fall frosts. Butterflies are known to visit the flowers.
This tree can be purchased as a cultivar. The bark was used as an anti-malarial treatment by pioneer doctors because it closely resembles the bark of the quinine tree.
The American Mountain Ash has been known by a variety of different names over time including the Rowan Tree, Rowanberry, Mountain Sumac, Wine Tree, Dog Berry, Wild Ash, and Missey-Moosey.