 | American Mountain-ash - Sorbus americana (Syn. Pyrus americana) Rosaceae – Rose family. The American Mountain ash was used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Native populations are listed as endangered by the State of Illinois. Insects & Spiders Home | Tree Pictures | Tree Index | Rosaceae Index | Rosaceae Pictures | Oaks & Beech Index |
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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) 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):
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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.
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Excerpts form Morton Arboretum
articles used with permission
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