Service tree, Sorb apple
Sorbus domestica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A tree with spreading branches. It loses its leaves in the winter. It grows to 15 m high. The bark is orange-brown and scaly and rough. The leaves are alternate and compound. The leaves are 22 cm long. There are 11-21 leaflets along the stalk. They have rounded bases and sharp teeth along the edge. The buds are sticky. The flowers are 1.5 cm across. The flower heads are domed with a cluster of flowers and about 10 cm across. The fruit are small and pear shaped. It is yellow-green and flushed with red. They are 3 cm long. They are edible.

There are about 75 Sorbus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to S.W. Asia and S. Europe. It grows on mountain slopes and in deciduous forests. Mediterranean. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean, North Africa, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten when very ripe. Fruit become sweeter after frost. They are also dried. They are used for jam. The fruit can be fermented with grain to produce a cider-like beverage.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is a slow growing tree.

Its other names

Local names

Berkenye, Jerba, Oskorusa, Serbal, Servera, Sorbo, Uvez

Synonyms

Cormus domestica (L.) Spach; Pyrus domestica (L.) Sm.; Pyrus sorbus Gaertn.;