Western Mountain Ash, Greene's mountain ash, Cascade mountain ash
Sorbus scopulina

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Sorbus scopulina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Canyons and wooded slopes, 1200 - 2700 metres in California. Moist and wet soils of hills and mountains to 2,700 metres.

N. America - Labrador to Alaska, south to Maine, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado and Utah.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw, cooked in pies, preserves etc, or dried for later use. A bitter flavour. The fruit becomes sweeter and so tastes best after a frost, it can also be bletted if it is going to be eaten raw. This involves storing the fruit in a cool dry place until it is almost but not quite going rotten. At this stage the fruit of many species has a delicious taste, somewhat like a luscious tropical fruit. The fruit is up to 5mm across.

Medicine

Rating: 1

An infusion of the branches has been given to young children with bed-wetting problems. The bark is febrifuge and tonic. It has been used in the treatment of general sickness.

Enuresis: Treats bed wetting.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The wood is soft and weighs 37lb per cubic foot.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position. Dislikes dry soils. Tolerates light shade, though it fruits better in a sunny position. Plants are susceptible to fireblight.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification, so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two, but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The seeds probably contain hydrogen cyanide. This is the ingredient that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. Unless the seed is very bitter it should be perfectly safe in reasonable quantities. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. sambucifolia. non Roem.