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Korean mountain-ash

Sorbus alnifolia

Common names:
Korean mountain-ash, Korean mountainash

Content Detail

Korean mountain-ash is a medium sized tree with interesting ornamental features. The tree flowers white in spring and are followed by red fruit. Yellow fall color and gray bark complete the picture. This tree does best in a lawn situation. Streets and city sites should be avoided.

  • Family (English) Rose
  • Family (botanic) Rosaceae
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Oval, Pyramidal
  • Growth rate Fast, Moderate

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Korea, Japan, and China.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is smooth and gray.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The leaf is simple which is unusual as most mountain-ash species have compound leaves. They alternate on the twig and are oval with unequal teeth around the edges. Fall color is a mix of yellow, orange, and brown.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Blooms are small, white flowers in a flat-topped cluster which is 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Fruits are red, berry-like pommes in clusters, appearing in late summer into fall.

Plant care:

Korean mountain-ash is generally a short-lived tree. Avoid polluted and dry sites.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

Fire blight, canker diseases, rust, scale insects, and borers can attack this tree. It may be difficult to find in nurseries.

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