Aria edulis (= Sorbus aria, Aria nivea)

Common Whitebeam

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
Typically 15m, exceptionally 22m 1
25m 5
Typically 12m, up to 20m on good soils 6
15m, exceptionally 23m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Ovoid, up to 6m diameter 1, or 4-8m wide 2
Domed, sometimes spreading 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (70 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 13

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Low 11 to moderate 9

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Potentially 150+ years 2

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Coppices well 3

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Requires protection from herbivore impacts and weed control 3

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

(Sorbus aria s. str.) bei Wiesensteig (Schwäbische Alb)/ Steffen Hammel/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Formerly used for turnery and joinery 2
Max YC 12 8

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: –

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Moderate – deep roots and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): High
Medium-term (40 years): High
Long-term (60 years): High

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native in southern England, naturalised elsewhere 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 5
Highest value for leaf litter, blossom, and seeds 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Produces root suckers occasionally 4

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Susceptible to fireblight 5, apple canker, silver leaf and honey fungus 2

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, pear blister mite, red spider mite and sawfly larvae 23

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
Young trees especially susceptible to browsing 17