Wild Service Trees

[TerryH]

Apparently another member of the Sorbus family is called the [email protected] Service Tree. I'm rather hoping that they discover the "Bat Sh!t Crazy Service Tree" one of these days

[Meadowcopse]

I have a few young tree unusual (non rowan) sorbus species / varieties from specialist nurseries with appropriate provenance (unfortunately illicit plant hunting is a genuine problem of concern to conservationists).
One of the unusual properties within the genus is apparently non-sexual 'seed' reproduction with various books and papers looking at Sorbus distribution because it can be botanically unusual.
http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/02/13/aob.mct013.abstract

Meanwhile a crude alcoholic drink can be made with various Sorbus species berries, I think the French use the 'True Service Tree' Sorbus domestica

[oldclaypaws]

What with Wild, True and B'stard Service Trees, I'm wondering what other obscure names there are. I think when I've planted my Service Trees, I'll open a snack bar with the Tree as the centre piece and attractive young ladies individually attending to the customers. When asked what sort of tree it is, I'll be able to say, "Don't you know? Its a Waitress Service Tree"

[Meadowcopse]

Found a blog by a Sorbus species researcher http://rowanswhitebeamsandservicetrees.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/new-study-of-sorbus-in-avon-gorge.html

[oldclaypaws]

That is a fascinating read, after which I'm really enthused about the Service tree. Its apparent that its a historically very important tree, versatile, prized, and has numerous uses and wildlife benefits. If you have time, read the blog. (very brief summary)

The wood is attractive, like pearwood and was used for prestigious decorative items like gun stocks, harpsichords and royal furniture. Its also very shatter-proof and was prize for the likes of 13th Century lances, mallets, combs, tool handles, cart axles, mill cogs and grain flails. Its so durable it was used for the North facing exterior weather-boards and even gravestones! The fruit has health benefits and is delicious. Martin Luther (who kicked off Protestantism) described it as 'exquisite'. It makes good fuel and great charcoal. Birds love it. Perhaps the quality which will provoke most interest is the fruit makes great beer, has an intoxicating quality and there are continental traditions of using it to make vodka !

Amazing it's fallen out of common use and is now rare, it sounds like a wonder-tree.

Just off to fell all the Oaks and plant 5 acres of Wild Service.

[Rankinswood]

Hi,

Easy there ! The wild service tree wood is unlikely to be durable as it is a diffuse porous wood resembling beech or apple in structure and judging by the way squirrells have damaged young wild service trees growing in our woodland you are unlikely today to ever achieve a tree of reasonable size that could be used for funiture but maybe you might be able to get some stems to grow to a size suitable for turnery, etc.

I have seen loads of Wild Service trees in Hertfordshire but the best profusion to be seen is in the Isle of Wight where there are no grey squirrels (but lots of reds).

In Germany a single sizeable Wild Service tree could sell for about £6000 to the kitchen cabinet marketplace.

Rankinswood

[oldclaypaws]

Like so many plants, I think the truth is it struggles to thrive in the UK because of our climate, we are on the fringes of its viable habitat. It needs warmth to fruit well and propagate which is perhaps why it isnt widely naturalised and restricted largely to the SouthEast. Our main native Sorbus is Rowan, which looks very happy sat on a Scottish Hillside.

Having come from T' North to the softly South, I'm aware of the contrast in climate and plants that 350 miles and 4 degrees C makes. Trees the size of my Oaks (and other exotic species such as 'grass') are almost unknown in the windswept moors of Northumberland, I call the trees there 'Muslim trees' as they are stunted and leaning pointed towards Mecca, blasted by an icy Western wind off the Pennines. I also don't recall ever seeing a Sweet Chestnut in the NorthEast, or Hornbeam. They're not short of Conifers and heather though!