Sorbus americana (American Mountain Ash)

Sorbus americana (American Mountain Ash) is a small, densely-branched shrub or deciduous tree adorned with a short trunk and spreading, slender branches that form an open rounded crown. The elegant foliage of compound-pinnate, dark green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), with gray-green undersides, turns orange-yellow to reddish purple to red in the fall, before falling to the ground, revealing the smooth gray bark becoming scaly with age. In late spring, a profusion of tiny white flowers held in flat-topped clusters are produced. They are quickly followed by abundant clusters of showy, bright orange-red berries in late summer. The berries persist well after the leaves are gone, providing a welcoming feast for various types of weary, migrating birds.

American Mountain Ash is a magnet for a diverse array of bird species, including the American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Black-Capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, and Eastern Bluebird. With its vibrant berries and inviting branches, American Mountain Ash provides essential food and shelter, enriching the ecosystem with avian activity.

Attractive in form, elegant in flower, and colorful in fruit and foliage, Sorbus americana stars in almost every season of the year.

• Grows up to 10-30 ft. in height and spread (3-9 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in acidic, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils.
• No routine pruning necessary. Prune if needed from late fall to early spring.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, blister beetles, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, sawflies, silver leaf, honey fungus, fireblight.
• Native to eastern North America.