Mountain Ash / Rowan Sapling Trees

Sorbus Aucuparia Saplings

Delivered by Mail Order Direct from our Nursery with a Year Guarantee
 

Sorbus aucuparia is known as the Mountain Ash Tree or Rowan Tree. It is a hardy native plant that thrives on any soil except chalk. Sorbus aucuparia is not suitable for a clipped hedge but it can be grown as a screening tree up to about 15 metres high.
The plants on this page are young saplings; buy larger Sorbus aucuparia trees instead, or browse all Rowan varieties.
Browse native trees & hedging or all hedging plants.

Bareroot saplings are only delivered during winter (Oct-March).

Choosing a size:
When you are ordering a large quantity of Sorbus aucuparia for a big planting project, we suggest that you buy the smaller, 60/80cm tall plants. They are cheaper than large plants, easier to handle and more likely to cope well with poor conditions.
All of our young trees and shrubs are measured by their height in centimetres above the ground (the roots aren't measured).

General description of Rowan Trees:

Rowan trees, called Mountain Ash in some parts, are a small to medium-sized, deciduous native. Not quite a hedge plant, it is a good tree for taller screening. It produces white flowers in June followed by large bunches of red berries that are very popular with birds. In autumn the foliage turns a warm mixture of yellows, reds and pale browns.
Rowan is a very hardy tree that will grow on exposed hillsides with poor, rocky soil. However, it is shaped easily by the wind. Rowan trees in sheltered sites can top 15 metres in height, but trees on wind blasted slopes will become twisted, shrubby looking plants.

Did You Know?

Aucuparia is a Latin word related to catching birds, indicating that bird catchers would use this tree's berries to lure their prey.

Notes on planting Sorbus aucuparia :
Rowan will grow well on almost any soil, except chalk. Good for cold and exposed sites or polluted urban ground.

Prepare your site before planting:
It is good to dig over the area where you intend to plant several months in advance. Destroy the weeds first: nettles, brambles and ground elder are tough. Then dig the soil over; remove rocks, roots and other rubbish. Mix in well rotted compost or manure down to the depth of about 2 spades.
If you have a heavy clay soil, it might be too difficult to dig over for most of the year. Heavy clay is fertile soil, so you don't really need to improve it; killing the weeds is still necessary.

Remember to water establishing plants during dry weather for at least a year after planting.

Planting accessories:
Prepare your site for planting by killing the weeds and grass.
If you are planting in an area with rabbit and/or deer, you will need to use a protective plastic spiral for each plant, supported by a bamboo cane.
If your soil quality is poor, we recommend using mycorrhizal "friendly fungi" on the roots of new trees and shrubs.
You can also improve your soil with bonemeal organic fertiliser.

After Care

After you plant your Sorbus aucuparia saplings, the most important thing to do is water them in dry weather. You will also need to weed around the plants. Both of these will be necessary for at least a year after planting.
Water thoroughly but not too often: let the soil get close to drying out before watering your plants again.

Special notes on caring for Sorbus aucuparia :
Sorbus aucuparia is a very tough plant that shouldn't need special attention once it has established. If pruning is necessary, it is best do it in winter. Always hire a tree surgeon to remove large branches.

Hygiene & Diseases:
Dead, damaged or diseased wood can be pruned off as soon as it appears.
Disinfect your pruning tools between every cut if there is any sign of disease.
Burn or dispose of any diseased material, do not compost it.

After you plant your Sorbus aucuparia saplings, the most important thing to do is water them in dry weather. You will also need to weed around the plants. Both of these will be necessary for at least a year after planting.
Water thoroughly but not too often: let the soil get close to drying out before watering your plants again.

Special notes on caring for Sorbus aucuparia :
Sorbus aucuparia is a very tough plant that shouldn't need special attention once it has established. If pruning is necessary, it is best do it in winter. Always hire a tree surgeon to remove large branches.

Hygiene & Diseases:
Dead, damaged or diseased wood can be pruned off as soon as it appears.
Disinfect your pruning tools between every cut if there is any sign of disease.
Burn or dispose of any diseased material, do not compost it.