Checkertree, Chequers, Wild Service tree, Maple service
Torminalis glaberrima

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A spreading deciduous tree. It grows 15-20 m high. The bark is dark grey and broken into shallow cracks. The leaves are maple shaped. They are alternate and shiny on both sides. They are 10 cm long and almost 10 cm across. The leaves have several lobes. The bottom pair of lobes grow at right angles to the leaf stalk. The leaves turn purplish in autumn. The flowers are creamy-white and in rounded heads. The flowers are 1.2 cm across. The fruit are rounded and produced in clusters. They are a light, leathery brown with speckles. They are 1.2 cm across. Commonly listed as Sorbus torminalis

There are about 75 Sorbus species. The fruit have been used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to N. Africa, S.W. Asia and Europe. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kosovo, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten after being subject to frost. It can be processed into jellies, conserves and wine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Seed do not germinate readily.

Trees grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Barkoca, Brek, Brekinja, Brekinya, Gilgusar, Pitlecin, Vadbarkoca

Synonyms

Crataegus torminalis L.; Pyrus torminalis (L.) Ehrh.;