Rowan's have a large, open domed crown. Their bark is a silvery grey, mostly smooth but sometimes ridged.
It has widely spaced branches that are hairy when young but smooth later in life.
It's leaves are compound and pinnate. Composed of 5-8 pairs of toothed leaflets, each one growing up to 6cm long.
Mountain Ash flowers grow in May. Each flower is around 1cm in diameter and has 5 creamy white petals.
Rowan fruit is bright red/ scarlet and are all under 1cm long. The fruit persists even after leaves have fallen.
The tree is native to a wide area of Europe including Britain and Ireland.
It grows in both woodland and open land, but does not grow as well in wet soils. It is able to grow and survive at higher altitudes than most species which suggests it has strong, deep roots. Hence the name 'Mountain Ash.'
The mountain ash is often used ornamentally in urban areas. Due to its bright fruits it attracts many species of birds and even encourages them to migrate to busy town centres.
No comments:
Post a Comment