American Mountain Ash
(Sorbus americana)
American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
/
/
Superior National Forest
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Superior National Forest
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Superior National Forest | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Superior National Forest | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sorbus americana, commonly known as American Mountain Ash, is a deciduous tree that naturally occurs in cool, moist northern forests, often in swamp margins, wet woods, and along streams in the Northeastern USA and Southeastern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 12 meters (40 ft) and has a rounded form with a light gray, smooth, and scaly bark. The tree is noted for its showy clusters of white flowers that bloom in May and June, which are followed by bright red-orange berries that persist into winter, providing food for birds and other wildlife.
American Mountain Ash is valued for its ornamental features, including its attractive flowers, berries, and fall foliage, which turns yellow to reddish-purple. It is used in garden and landscape settings as a feature tree and is also planted for wildlife habitat enhancement. While it prefers rich, moist soils, it can adapt to a range of conditions, including rocky hillsides. It requires full sun to part shade and medium water availability. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to fire blight and other diseases, as well as insect pests such as borers.CC BY-SA 4.0
American Mountain Ash is valued for its ornamental features, including its attractive flowers, berries, and fall foliage, which turns yellow to reddish-purple. It is used in garden and landscape settings as a feature tree and is also planted for wildlife habitat enhancement. While it prefers rich, moist soils, it can adapt to a range of conditions, including rocky hillsides. It requires full sun to part shade and medium water availability. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to fire blight and other diseases, as well as insect pests such as borers.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 15-30 feet
- Width: 15-30 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Cool, moist northern forests, often in swamp margins, wet woods, and along streams
Other Names
Common Names: Mountain-Ash , Dogberry , Roundwood , Cormier , Maska , Maskouabina , Sorbier D’Amérique , Amerikansk Rönn
Scientific Names: Sorbus americana , Pyrus americana , Sorbus pumilus , Sorbus microcarpa , Aucuparia americana , Crataegus americana , Pyrus americana var. microcarpa , Pyrus microcarpa , Pyrus americana var. micrantha , Sorbus americana var. micrantha
GBIF Accepted Name: Sorbus americana Marsh