American Mountain-ash - Sorbus americana  (Syn. Pyrus americana)
Rosaceae – Rose family. The American Mountain ash was used extensively by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. The bright orange berries persist through winter, making this tree and outstanding ornamental for specimen plantings. Native populations are listed as endangered by the State of Illinois.
 

American Mountain-ash is relatively small (maximum height 40 feet) deciduous perennial tree, native to northern North America. Its conspicuous white spring flowers and outstanding, persistent orange fruit make it one of our most recognizable trees. (1) It is well adapted to both coarse and fine soil textures, but has a low tolerance for drought or fire, and virtually no tolerance for salt aerosols. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.

The showy white flowers appear in early summer, and the abundant orange fruit appear in summer, persisting through winter. Fruit provides palatable browse for many animals and birds, but is not suitable for human consumption, except, perhaps for various folk remedies; the plant is not toxic. (1) (5)

 

The mountain ash and related species (most often the European Mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia) are sometimes referred to in folklore as "Rowan" trees, but this use has almost disappeared from the modern lexicon. The rowans were thought by the Celts and other primitive peoples of The British Isles to have magical properties.

"Mountain ash, 1804, from rowan-tree, rountree (1548), northern English and Scottish, from a Scandinavian source (cf. O.N. reynir, Swed. Ronn "the rowan"), ultimately from the root of red, in reference to the berries. The rowan "was the tree most often credited with protective magical powers against all effects of witchcraft, not merely in Celtic areas but throughout Britain." -- Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore

 
American Mountain-ash was used extensively by Native Americans for various purposes (5):
  • Algonquin, Quebec, Drug (Cold Remedy); Infusion of inner bark taken for colds.
  • Algonquin, Tete-de-Boule Drug (Psychological Aid); Buds and inner bark fibers boiled and used for depression.
  • Iroquois Drug (Gastrointestinal Aid); Fruit used to facilitate digestion.
  • Malecite Drug (Analgesic); Infusion of bark used for pain after childbirth.
  • Micmac Drug (Gastrointestinal Aid); Infusion of root taken for colic.
  • Ojibwa Drug (Venereal Aid); Infusion of root bark taken for gonorrhea.
  • Penobscot Drug (Emetic); Plant used as an emetic.
  • Algonquin, Quebec Food (Fruit); Fruit used for food.
  • Ojibwa Fiber (Canoe Material); Wood used to make ribs for canoes, snowshoe frames.

Native: (links to other web resources are provided for some distributions) (2)
  • NORTHERN AMERICA
    Eastern Canada: Canada - New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
    Northeastern U.S.A.: United States - Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia
    North-Central U.S.A.: United States - Illinois [n. (Ogle Co.)], Minnesota, Wisconsin
    Southeastern U.S.A.: United States - Georgia [n.], Maryland [w.], North Carolina [w.], Tennessee [n.e.], Virginia [w.]

American Mountain-ash has been found growing near Boulder, Colorado, at an altitude of 6000 feet. (4)
The state of Illinois lists the mountain ash as endangered. (1) (6)


 

Trees are essential elements of livable communities and a healthful environment. They are not only beautiful, they carry out many beneficial environmental functions. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas (up to 50 pounds per tree each year), and release oxygen. They shelter and provide nesting habitats for wildlife, retain moisture in soils, hold topsoil in place, and provide shade and cooling.

Trees also provide fruits, nuts, oils, and syrups; pulp for paper, cloth, and rope; and wood for innumerable products and heat. Trees provide both direct and indirect economic benefits. Air-conditioning costs are less in a tree-shaded home, and heating costs are reduced when a home has properly selected and placed windbreaks. Beyond energy savings, landscaping with mature trees increases the value of property.

Indirect economic benefits extend beyond the individual to the community or region. Customers pay lower electricity bills when power companies use less water in their cooling towers and fewer measures to control air pollution. Communities also save money if fewer facilities must be built to control storm water.

 

Trees make the world more beautiful. They add color, structure, height, and grace to our neighborhoods, parkways, and streetscapes. Trees also neutralize the harshness and stress of urban life. They enrich our lives. Our forests, woodlands, parks, and preserves help us feel more relaxed and serene. A day or even an hour in the woods can help us feel rejuvenated. Trees are magnets for wildlife, which also add beauty, value, and interest to our world.

City and suburban trees often serve several architectural functions. They provide privacy, frame views, and screen out objectionable sights. They reduce glare and reflection, direct pedestrian traffic, and provide background for and soften, complement, or enhance architecture or topography.
--From The Morton Arboretum "Go Green"

 

KingdomPlantae – Plants
SubkingdomTracheobionta – Vascular plants
SuperdivisionSpermatophyta – Seed plants
DivisionMagnoliophyta – Flowering plants
ClassMagnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
SubclassRosidae –
OrderRosales –
FamilyRosaceae – Rose family
GenusSorbus L. – mountain ash
SpeciesSorbus americana Marsh. – American mountain ash

 

Trees provide cover: Birds and small animals need concealed places for nesting and hiding from predators. The presence of wildlife can make your backyard or woodlot a special place for your family and children. As urban sprawl displaces many birds and animals from their natural habitat, it becomes even more important for home and landowners to provide green space and mini-sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife.

Trees provide food: Having a wide variety of trees that provide seeds, nuts and fruit for wildlife to eat is one way to increase your success in attracting wildlife. although artificial bird feeders can supplement naturally occurring foods, they can attract unwanted pests such as pigeons, Canada geese, squirrels, and even rats. Trees also provide food by attracting insects and providing cover for their activities; mating, egg-laying. Insects form a huge portion of the warm-weather food supply for many species of songbirds. Trees that provide fall and winter foods are especially important in helping wildlife survive the winter, and to provide forage and cover for early-arriving spring migrants that may get caught in late-season bad weather. Whatever the food sources you provide may be, birds and wildlife also need dependable source of water; create a small pool or birdbath in a protected place.


American Mountain-ash, Morton Arboretum accession 55-89-3

References:
1. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services
2. USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
3. USDA National Agricultural Library
4. Missouri Botanical Garden - w3TROPICOS
5. University of Michigan, Native American Ethnobotany
6. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Threatened and Endangered Species (Illinois)

 

              
 
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