French Hales, Service tree of Fontainebleau
Sorbus latifolia
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree. It grows 12 m tall. It is a broad column shape. The bark is dark grey and cracks and flakes. The leaves are broadly oval. They are 10 cm long by 10 cm wide. They have shallow pointed lobes near the base. There are sharp teeth along the edges. The leaves are dark glossy green above and grey and downy underneath. They turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are 1.5 cm across and white. They are borne in flattened heads. The fruit are rounded and yellow-brown. They are 1.2 cm across and have easy to see lenticels.
There are about 75 Sorbus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to C. and W. Europe. It grows in woods. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Europe, France, Luxembourg, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten. They are used for making jelly.
Edible parts
Fruit