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Korean Mountain-ash - Sorbus alnifolia Also commonly called "Alder-leaved Whitebeam or Korean Whitebeam" [2] Family: Rosaceae. USDA hardiness zones: 4 through 7A [Rosaceae Graphics] [Tree Encyclopedia] [Trees Alphabetic Table of Contents] [Family Rosaceae Table of Contents] |
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Korean Mountain-Ash grows rather quickly into a
20 to 40-foot-tall deciduous tree with a broad,
rounded, 15 to 25-foot-wide, dense canopy which
casts dense shade. Young trees form a dense
oval. The two to four-inch-long, glossy, bright
green, simple leaves change to attractive hues
of yellow, orange, and rust in fall before
dropping. In late spring the trees are decorated
with two to three-inch-diameter, flat-topped
clusters of tiny white blossoms, which may
appear in great number one year yet sparsely the
next. Korean Mountain-ash grows best in full sun. It is tolerant of clay, loam and sandy soils. Moderately tolerant of drought and aerosol salt, but does not tolerate soil salt. [1] |
Tree is deciduous. Leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic, serrate
and double serrate, venation is pinnate.
| USE AND MANAGEMENT Partially due to the upright habit, weak crotches can develop on branches which are allowed to grow to larger than about half the diameter of the trunk. Pruning early in the life of the tree will improve the structure of the tree and help increase longevity in the landscape. It is tempting to plant this tree due to the nice flowers, nice fruit display and bright fall color, but it may be short-lived and is susceptible to fireblight. But it is the most resistant of the Mountain-Ashes to borers. It is probably best to locate the tree where there is adequate open soil space for root development so the tree will not be subjected to much stress. Provided with some irrigation in a dry summer, this tree will serve the landscape well for a number of years. It has many outstanding attributes which people will enjoy for a number of years after planting. Plant it as an occasional specimen in a park or large landscape for ornamental value and diversity, not as a staple in large numbers. Korean Mountain-Ash should be grown in full sun on any well-drained soil, including slightly alkaline. Any required pruning should be done in winter or early spring to avoid exposing the wood to the fireblight disease. Fireblight can cause serious damage to the tree. The cultivar ‘Redbird’ has rosy red fruits which are quite popular with birds, and has a more upright form. There are other hybrids and cultivars, all with the same limitations. Aphids, pear leaf blister mite, Japanese leafhopper, Mountain-Ash sawfly, and scales may infest this tree. Korean Mountain-Ash is somewhat resistant to borers which affect other Sorbus species, and probably should be planted instead of European Mountain-Ash. Fireblight, crown gall, canker, leaf rusts, and scab may infect this tree. [1] |
Korean Mountain-ash fall foliage is an outstanding yellow-orange.
References
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