# Mountain Ash (*Sorbus aucuparia*)

The Mountain Ash is a tall tree known for its bright red berries. It provides food for many birds and animals.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions and forests
- **Also known as:** Rowan

![Mountain Ash](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426170/objects/4873.jpg)

## Appearance

The Mountain Ash is a slender tree with smooth, grey bark and fern-like, pinnate leaves. In spring, it boasts clusters of white flowers, followed by vibrant orange-red berries that persist into winter, making it stand out against winter landscapes.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Rosaceae
- **Genus:** Sorbus

## Interesting facts

- Ancient people thought Mountain Ash protected against dark magic!
- Bees love its white spring flowers, making yummy honey!
- Its super tart berries are packed with more Vitamin C than oranges!
- The strong, flexible wood was once used to make spears and bows.

## Special abilities

- **Seed Slinger:** Mountain Ash has bright red berries that attract birds, helping to spread its seeds far and wide for new growth.
- **Cold Conqueror:** Mountain Ash can endure harsh winter climates, allowing it to grow in chilly mountainous and northern regions.
- **Sun Seeker:** This tree is a pioneer, able to quickly colonize open, sunny areas, helping new forests to begin growing.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 8-15 m
- **Spread:** 4-8 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 30-50 cm
- **Lifespan:** 80-120 years
- **Fruit Type:** Pome
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** European Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Its bright berries are a winter feast.
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Buzzes around its sweet spring blossoms.
- **Eats:** [Roe Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — Browses on young leaves and tender bark.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Mountain Ash?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Mountain Ash?

8-15 m

### How wide does Mountain Ash spread?

4-8 m

### Is Mountain Ash edible?

No

### How big is Mountain Ash?

30-50 cm

### How long does Mountain Ash live?

80-120 years

### Where is Mountain Ash usually found?

Mountain regions and forests

### What kind of fruit does Mountain Ash produce?

Pome

## Where to spot

- [Mill Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mill-lake-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Mountain Ash: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-ash)