tree

Rowan

Sorbus aucuparia

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium
Berriesfood for wildlife and humans

Through the year

Emergence

Bud break and leaf emergence typically occur after the last spring frost and when air temperatures consistently rise above 50C.

Flowering

Flowering usually begins about a month after leaf emergence, typically in late spring to early summer.

Fruiting

Fruits develop over summer, ripening from late summer to early autumn.

Harvest

Berries are typically ready for harvest from late August through September, often after the first light frosts which can improve flavor.

Senescence

Leaves begin to change color and drop with the onset of shorter days and the first autumn frosts.

Dormancy

The tree enters full dormancy shortly after leaf fall, lasting through winter until chill requirements are met and spring temperatures rise.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatespotassium, calcium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, grafting, cuttings
Difficulty3 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationrequires cold stratification for 2-4 months
Self-seedingLight
Divisionnot applicable

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbirds, pollinators
Can host pestsaphids, sawfly larvae
Can host diseasesfire blight, canker