Wild Service Tree

Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis, at High Elms Country Park.  20 September 2011.

It may be called Wild, but this young tree is actually tame, having been planted here in the grounds of High Elms. It is scarce in Britain, and is usually only found in ancient woodland.

This is a healthy specimen, and is actually symmetrical. The only reason the full tree has not been shown here is that there was a car parked on the right, and the colours clashed.

The fruits of this tree are said to be edible, but only after they have bletted, a process of partial decay and fermentation. On the tree, they are hard and tooth-resistant. Allowing a fruit to go soft and over-ripe sounds odd, but it is required for a few fruits. Medlars, for example, which you will not find easily, as they were more popular in Mediaeval times; and persimmons, which are rather more common.

Berries of a Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis, at High Elms Country Park.  20 September 2011.