Foto-ParcDeLEurope-MountainAsh

Sorbus aucuparia

Brochure-ParcdeLEurope-FrêneDesMontagnes

Sorbus aucuparia
Eberesche, Vogelbeerbaum
Sorbier des oiseleurs, Frêne des montagnes
Vullekiischtebam, Biinzel

Size:
The mountain ash rarely grows to a height of 20 m and has a strikingly light crown. It also likes to grow multi-stemmed or shrubby.


Leaf
The mountain ash has pinnate leaves, up to 20 cm long and composed of 9 to 17 individual leaflets.


Flower/Fruit
The white flowers herald the end of full spring. They appear to many in 15 cm wide umbel panicles and have a rather unpleasant smell. The red fruits (small apple fruits, the size of a pea) contain vitamin C and can be processed into brandy or sorbic acid. The fruits are of great ecological use in winter (after frost) as wild food, especially for numerous songbirds, as well as for rodents, foxes and badgers.


Wood
The wood is very tough and hard. It is increasingly in demand in the joinery and furniture industry and can also be processed well into veneer.


Trivia/Use
The mountain ash tree lives no more than 150 years. It is a typical forest wood, its foliage contributes to humus formation. In harsh locations it is planted as a shelterwood and is also used in avalanche protection.