Rowan

The Rowan is an attractive, slender tree with silvery-brown bark, creamy-white spring flowers and clusters of brilliant scarlet autumn berries.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Mountain ash Caerthann (Old Irish) Caorthann (Irish) Quicken Quickbeam Wicken Witchwood
Generic name	Rowan
Latin name	Sorbus aucuparia
Family name	Rose
Latin family name	Rosaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	8-15m

Leaf

Description	Usually 15 leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaf at the end/tip. Each leaflet is around 5cm long with teeth/serrations on the edges.
Shape	Compound
Colour	Green
Colour of leaves in autumn	Orange
Leaf bud	The bud are purplish, hairy and up to 15mm long
Leaf stalk	No stalk
Leaf arrangement	Opposite

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Clustered/grouped flowers
Flowering season	Late spring
Tree/flower sex	Both sexes
Fruit colour	Orange-Scarlet
Fruit season	Autumn
Type of seed body	Berry
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Greyish silver with dark horizontal markings
Twig Description	Slender purplish grey twigs

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Ash- which has smooth edges on the leaftlets and winged seeds 'keys' instead of berries

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Abundant on light acid soils and grows higher than many other trees in the uplands. Also widely planted in streets and parks
What is its British conservation status?	Frequent

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber

The wood is tough and strong, and was traditionally used for handles of tools, cart-wheels and planks or beams. Rowan berries can be eaten by humans and can be used to make jellies to accompany meat.

Tree lore and folklore

The rowan has many associations with magic and witches. Its old celtic name is 'fid na ndruad' which means wizards tree. In Ireland it was planted near houses to protect them against spirits, especially of the dead. In Wales rowans were often planted in churchyards. In Scotland there was a strong taboo against cutting down a rowan. The wood was seen as the most protective part and was used for stirring milk (to prevent it curdling), as a pocket charm against rheumatism and made into divining rods. The protective power is thought to come from the bright red berries, as red was thought to be the best colour for fighting evil. The only place that still retains some rowan rituals is the Isle of Man

Flowers with spring leaves

Leaves and flowers

Rowan berries

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

Celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's
historic 2012 Diamond Jubilee with us

BritishTrees