European Mountain Ash

Sorbus aucuparia

Rosaceae · deciduous tree · introduced

Quick Facts

Height

40 ft

Spread

23 ft

Growth Rate

Moderate

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Well Drained

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 2a–8b

Bloom Time

May

Origin

Europe, Asia

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	May 1-May 31	First open flowers visible; flowers white
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	May 15-Jun 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: orange
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Diseases (5)

Cytospora canker Cytospora Canker

Erwinia amylovora Fire Blight

Various fungi (Phyllosticta spp., Septoria spp., Cercospo... Leaf Spot

Neonectria ditissima Nectria Canker

Thekopsora minima and Naohidemyces vaccinii Rust

Pests (10)

Cinara occidentalis, Cinara abietis Aphid

Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer

Enarmonia formosana Cherry bark tortrix

Mountain ash sawfly

Caliroa cerasi Pear sawfly (pear slug)

Phytoptus pyri Pearleaf blister mite

Cylindrocopturus furnissi Root weevil

Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar

Leaf blister mite

Cultivars (1)

Cardinal Royal

Common name: Cardinal Royal Mountain Ash; Mature height: 35 ft