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Wild service tree. Getty Images.

How to grow wild service trees

Nic Wilson

Published: Friday, 25 October 2024 at 12:47 pm

Advice on identifying and growing wild service trees, in our guide.

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Plant Size:

Height: 1500

Spread: 800

Wild service tree is a deciduous native tree in the Rosaceae or rose family, which also includes rowan and whitebeam. Known until recently as Sorbus terminalis, it's now been reclassified as Torminalis glaberrima. Wild service trees can be indicators of ancient woodland. They're relatively rare in the wild and can sometimes found growing in hedgerows. They used to be called chequers trees and have given their name to many pubs across the UK.

Identifying wild service trees

Wild service tree leaves and blossom. Getty Images

The wild service tree leaf has a distinct shape. Unlike the paired pinnate leaflets of rowan or the oval-shaped leaves of whitebeam, the wild service tree has lobed leaves that resemble maple foliage. The leaves turn brilliant shades of copper and red in autumn. In spring, it produces five-petalled insect-pollinated white flowers which look rather like hawthorn blossom. These develop into brown fruits later in the season.

Size: height and spread

Wild service trees can grow to 15m and, in some cases, can reach a height of 25m. They have domed crowns with a spread of around 10m.

Value to wildlife

Wild service tree blossom attracts pollinators in late spring, and the foliage provides food for many insects, including the larvae of the winter moth – an important food source for blue tit chicks. The wild service tree fruit is eaten by small mammals and birds such as thrushes.

How to grow wild service tree

This uncommon tree grows well on deep moist, well-drained calcareous or clay soils. It doesn’t cope well with boggy or very dry conditions, and isn't tolerant of shade or exposed situations.

Where to grow wild service tree

Wild service tree. Getty Images

Wild service trees are an ideal choice for a wildlife garden. Grow in deep, fertile soil, in a position with access to good light.

How to plant wild service tree

Container-grown trees are best planted in autumn or spring, but can be planted at any time of year, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Bare-root wild service trees are planted during the dormant season from November to March. Wild service trees can also be planted as part of a native wildlife hedge.

How to care for wild service tree

Wild service tree foliage emerging. Getty Images

Young leaves of the wild service tree. Getty Images

Wild service trees require little attention once established. They don’t need routine pruning. Simply remove dead, diseased and damaged branches where necessary.

Pests and diseases

Wild service trees may attract a range of insects including aphids, scale insects, weevils and sawfly larvae. These creatures are part of healthy garden ecosystems, and often don’t cause widespread damage, so where possible it’s best to tolerate them. Bacterial and fungal diseases such as fireblight, silver leaf and canker are more problematic and should be treated by removing and disposing of affected branches as soon as possible. Wild service trees may also be susceptible to honey fungus.

Buying advice

Make sure you have enough space for your wild service tree to grow to a mature size
Remember that bare-root trees are much cheaper than pot-grown trees
Check plants carefully for signs of pests and disease before buying or as soon as you receive them

Where to buy wild service trees online

Frequently asked questions

Are wild service trees rare?

Wild service trees are relatively rare in the wild. They usually propagate via suckers in the UK, as summer temperatures aren't normally hot enough for wild service tree seeds to mature, so many seeds aren’t viable and won’t germinate.

Why is it called a wild service tree?

Wild service tree fruit, sometimes called ‘chequers’, were used in beer making. The tree was often known as the chequers tree, and it's thought that ‘service’ comes from cervisia: the Latin for beer. Another suggestion is that ‘serves’ comes from the Old English word syrfe, borrowed from the Latin name sorbus.

How fast does a wild service tree grow?

Wild services tree is quite a fast-growing species, growing one metre a year or more in ideal locations.

What is wild service tree wood used for?

Wild service tree wood is fine-grained, elastic and very dense. It was used for musical instruments, turnery and looms in the past. Today it's generally used as a high-priced veneer for furniture.

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