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Summary
Service Tree (S. domestica) is a deciduous tree native to Southern and Central Europe and North Africa. It has been introduced to various other regions, including Great Britain, Turkey, and Portugal.
The fruit is eaten either raw or cooked. When eaten raw, the fruit usually undergoes bletting, which involves storing it in a cool, dry place until it softens and reaches a point just before decay. At this stage, the fruit develops a sweet, rich flavour reminiscent of tropical fruits. The fruit can be dried and used similarly to prunes in various recipes. Fruits are used in jams, jellies, and preserves, and in some regions, fermented into alcoholic beverages like cider. After bletting, the fruit’s unique flavour makes it a sought-after delicacy in areas where the tree is grown.
The service tree is highly adaptable and can thrive in most reasonably good soils, though it prefers an open, sunny position for optimal fruit production. It is tolerant of light shade but produces more and better-quality fruit when grown in full sun.
The service tree is relatively easy to grow and is drought-tolerant once established. It can be a long-lived tree, producing fruit consistently for many years with minimal maintenance. Pruning is typically only necessary if shaping or size control is desired.
The service tree is native to Southern and Central Europe and parts of North Africa, including Albania, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco, and the Caucasus. It has also been introduced to regions worldwide, such as Great Britain, Portugal, Turkey, and Cyprus.
Physical Characteristics
Sorbus domestica is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cornus domestica. Pyrus sorbus.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is usually bletted if it is going to be eaten raw[1, 2, 3, 11, 115, 183]. This involves storing the fruit in a cool, dry place until it is almost but not quite going rotten. At this stage, the fruit tastes deliciously like a luscious tropical fruit[K]. The fruit will often begin its bletting process whilst still on the tree, and we have eaten delicious fruits straight from the tree in mid-September[K]. The fruit can also be dried and used like prunes. The fruit is up to 3cm across[200].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Tannin Wood
Agroforestry uses: Sorbus species can be used as shade trees and are beneficial for wildlife, providing food and habitat. The fruits are edible for birds and can be used in jams and jellies. They can also contribute to soil improvement.
The bark is a source of tannin[61]. Wood - fine grained, very heavy, hard to split. Used for furniture, screws, wine presses etc[11, 46, 61, 74, 115]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Sorbus species produce clusters of small, white flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The fruit (berries) of Sorbus species, such as rowan or mountain ash, are eaten by birds and mammals. The dense canopy provides shelter and roosting opportunities for birds, while the fallen leaves contribute to the detritus layer for invertebrates.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The rough bark, leaf litter, and berry detritus provide overwintering sites for invertebrates and beneficial insects. The fallen leaves can serve as ground cover, benefiting the ecosystem.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Sorbus species do not have a notable scent that acts as a pest confuser.
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position[11]. Tolerates light shade[188], though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. The service tree is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit[3, 45, 132]. There are 2 distinct forms, S. domestica pomifera. (Hayne.)Rehd. with apple shaped fruits (which ripen from September) and S. domestica pyriformis. (Hayne.)Rehd. with pear shaped fruits which ripen from October[11, 132]. Plants are susceptible to fireblight[188] and to canker (which is especially prevalent in areas with high rainfall)[K]. They grow best in the drier areas of Britain, which in general means the eastern half of the country[121]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a standard with a non-suckering single trunk [1-2]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1]. Partially self-fertile, but fruit production is higher with cross-pollination. The fruits are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn, from August to October (Northern Hemisphere), once they are fully ripe. Sorbus species usually flower in late spring to early summer, generally from May to June (Northern Hemisphere), producing clusters of white or pink flowers. Sorbus species are generally moderate to fast-growing, with some species reaching maturity in about 5 to 10 years, depending on species and growing conditions. Sorbus species, known as rowan or service trees, provide both edible fruit and ornamental value, making them good choices for food forests. Several Sorbus species, such as S. domestica, S. torminalis, and S. aria, are more adaptable to the warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters of Mediterranean climates. S. aucuparia may also be grown in cooler or higher elevation areas within Mediterranean climates, though it prefers less heat.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78, 80]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[78, 80]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification[98], so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two[11], but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Turkey,Cyprus. EUROPE: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, Ukraine, Krym, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
1145200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Sorbus domestica
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