Identify the Sargent's Rowan (sorbus hupehensis)

The leaves are shown on the left (click the picture to enlarge). As the leaves emerge they are a mid green colour. In early to mid autumn / fall the leaves turn yellow to orange and fall off.

Each stem has around 11 to 15 individual leaves which are toothed along the edges except at the base where they are untoothed.

The bark on young trees is a shiny grey colour ageing to a brown-grey colour. The texture of the bark is generally smooth, especially on younger trees.

The width of the trunk restricts the size of wood that can be taken form a Rowan. But it is very hard and often used for small items such as garden tool handles which require a high breaking point.

The fruits appear in late summer, and are initially green, they quickly ripen to a bright red in very early September. Birds love them and often trees are stripped of their ripening fruit within a few days, especially if the weather turns cold.

Each fruit is about 8mm in diameter and they appear in large clusters of 20 or more berries. The fruits are edible, although they are extremely bitter until frosted or over-ripe.

PICTURE OF FLOWERS COMING SOON

The flowers appear in mid-May as sprays of cream to white between 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) wide. Insects pollinate the flowers. They have a slightly sweet scent.

There is very little to distinguish the flowers of sorbus aucuparia from other species of Rowans.