Whitebeam
Sorbus aria · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental and woodland tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type common whitebeam)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 7, showing strong tolerance to cold winters and urban pollution.
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded or oval crown, featuring distinctive bi-colored foliage with starkly white, woolly undersides and clusters of orange-red berries.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, elliptic to oval leaves, 7-14 cm long, finely to coarsely serrated margins, dark green above and densely covered in white tomentose hairs underneath.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, greyish-brown bark when young, becoming slightly fissured and scaly as the tree ages.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northwest Africa; well-adapted to chalky and limestone soils.
Growing Season
Spring leafing followed by white flowers in late spring, producing red berries (pomes) in late summer to autumn before entering winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained soil and exhibits good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height of 10 to 15 meters with a similar spread, growing at a moderate rate with a lifespan typically around 60 to 100 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its striking contrast in foliage during windy weather, tolerance of chalky and poor soils, and resistance to urban pollution.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides valuable nectar for pollinators in spring and abundant red berries consumed by birds and small mammals in autumn.