Service tree   /   Sorbus domestica

Area of origin : Southern Europe.
Adult Dimensions : Height up to 20 m (65,6'), width up to 8 m (26,3').
Foliage : Deciduous, dark green and gold in autumn.
Soil Type : All.
Hardiness : Hardy to -20°C.
Exposure : Full sun.


Properties and uses:
The white flowers in May and June are followed by fruits in the shape of little red green pears. The cormes are edible when overripe. They are planted in orchards by those who value them. The leaves of this tree turn a beautiful colour of gold in autumn. It is planted alone or in a group but is equally good within a mixed hedge. The red brown wood is extremely strong and much sought after for making tools and weapons and for wood carving and engraving.

Plant them now: the shortest way to your plate is through your garden!

List of Sorbus:
• Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), beautiful white blossom in May, small acidic berries, mature in autumn
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), small red berries from July through to winter, extremely appreciated by birds
• Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia), white blossom in May and June, small red berries
• Wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis), white blossom in May and June, magnificent autumnal colours

• Forest Tree Seedlings for your plantations
• See the Plants for Agroforestry Catalogue
• See the Free-range poultries trees and shrubs catalogue
• Edible Wild fruits

1) The ServiceTree (Sorbus domestica) is it suitable for my land?

The Service Tree has important needs concerning the sunlight and the warmth, does not bear the competition of the other species, and needs to be boosted to develop in forest. It needs at least 600 mm of rainfall, evenly supplied throughout the year, and tolerates summer drought if the ground supplies enough water. It resists to intense cold and late frost. The Service Tree is not concerned by the soil conditions. However, it does not tolerate the water logging of the grounds, even temporarily.

2) Which planting density for my ServiceTree plot? (Sorbus domestica)

The planting density is the number of plants planted in one hectare (acre). Here it means determining the initial number of young plants and to choosing their repartition in the available space.
The planting density is defined by the gaps in between the lines as well as the spacing in between each plant on a same line.
It is the basics of the silvicultural path which must lead to a final trees’ population of quality and to the fulfilment of the land’s owner set goals.

Advice: When choosing the density, think about the width of the tool which will allow the maintenance of the gaps in between the lines. The space in between the lines must allow clear passage for a tractor-drawn, maintenance tool.

Examples of space distribution of plants:

• There are not enough Service Tree plantings to define a standard density. It is often used as a side variety to enrich a plot.

3) How to prepare the soil to plant ServiceTree (Sorbus domestica)?

In Silviculture, working the soil is a key element in the success of planting. The root system of the tree must take rapidly where planted. Whether the work is done mechanically or manually, we recommend working the soil in its depth for optimum planting.

4) How to plant the ServiceTree (Sorbus domestica)?

a- Receipt, storage and preparation of the plants before planting

• Upon receipt, place the crates side by side, on a flat surface so as there is no air circulation underneath. Choose a shady spot protected from wind;
• Maintain a good humidity level of the plants on the crates placed on the edges,
• Plan for the possibility of watering if planting is delayed or if the plants require water,
• In case of frost, do not handle the plants and if frost is forecasted for several days, place mulch on the edges.

Our team of professional planters use a planting cane to place the earth-balled plants in situ. This ergonomic, light tool allows quality, quicker planting work. It is also possible to carry out a traditional planting work using a pickaxe or a spade

In all case, you must:
• Dig a hole a little bit larger than the earth-ball ;
• Position it well in the hole;
• Cover it entirely;

Finally, the worker will tamp down the soil carefully with its foot. It is forbidden to press strongly or again to heel-butt the plant to avoid crushing the earth-ball and damage the root system of the plant.

Video on planting using a planting cane
Buy Planting cane

5) How to limit weeds on my ServiceTree plot (Sorbus domestica) ?

During the first years, it is essential to eliminate all self-propagating plants. Not controlled they are going to be in competition with your plants and are going to deprive the young trees of the vital elements they require to grow (water, light and nutritional elements). You must therefore eliminate mechanically this unwanted competition until the trees are big enough to be able to dominate it.

Two types of operations are possible after planting:

Manual clearing around the plants
It is in fact acts often carried out using portable thermic Strimmers or billhooks to clear plants on a line or around the plants themselves.

Mechanical clearing of the space in between the lines
These actions are done using cutters and flail mowers, horizontal or vertical cutters, mounted on mini excavators or tractors. As a result, they cannot be undertaken outside the spaces available between the tree lines (plants or plants).

6) How to protect my young ServiceTree plants from wildlife (Sorbus domestica) ?

There is a necessity to protect the plot as soon as the population’s density of Cervidae (deer and roe deer in particular) risk leading to significant damage such as undergrowth of the plants or friction of the stems. Sometimes, the setting up of plants’ protection is also necessary as soon as the rodents’ population (rabbits, hares, coypu, voles...) are locally important.

3 types of protections are possible:

• Individual, mechanical Protections ( dissuasive netting, photo-degradable tubes,...)
• Protection by total wire-fencing of the plot,
• Protection by applying a repellent on each plant or on the borders of the plot.