Rowan origin

The whitebeam (Sorbus aria) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the rose family. It can reach a height of up to 15 m and is widespread in Europe and northern Asia.

The Germanic peoples believed that the whitebeam protected against evil spells and even today in Sweden, something made from whitebeam wood is used on ships to keep storms and spirits on the water away.

The whitebeam blooms in spring with thick white panicles consisting of many small flowers. The leaves are green, arranged opposite each other and have an oval shape. The bark is grey-brown and smooth. In autumn the fruits ripen and turn red.
The fruits are edible and are eaten by birds and animals. They are processed into jam, jelly, juice or liqueur, for example. The whitebeam is well suited as a hedge plant and can also be planted as a solitary tree in parks and gardens.
In folk medicine, the fruits of the whitebeam were used to treat coughs and diarrhea. A tea was made from the fruits.

Whitebeam care and location

The whitebeam prefers a partially shaded to shady location with well-drained and humus-rich soil. However, it is generally undemanding and can grow in many types of soil. It does not require any special care and is resistant to pests and diseases. If planted in full sun, it should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely, as the whitebeam can be sensitive to drought stress.

Cutting the rowan tree

The whitebeam does not normally require regular pruning as it has a distinct growth habit and grows slowly. However, if it is to be pruned into a specific shape, spring is the best time to do it. Only the most necessary branches should be removed and the natural shape of the plant should be respected. Old and diseased branches as well as those that grow into the interior of the tree should be removed. Radical pruning is not recommended as the whitebeam has a slow growth rate and it takes a long time to recover from pruning.

Watering the rowan tree

The whitebeam is an undemanding tree and requires little water. However, it prefers well-drained and nutrient-rich soil that is not too dry. It can thrive in areas with low rainfall and dry soil and can tolerate short dry periods. However, during the growing season, the whitebeam should be watered regularly to support optimal growth. The soil should be kept moist but not wet.
Conventional watering with a hose can result in too much water landing on the ground at once and then evaporating or seeping into the soil before it reaches the roots. With tree bath watering bags watering is more efficient and time and water are saved. Drip irrigation continuously releases water into the soil, allowing the shallow roots of the whitebeam to absorb the water better. The watering bag also covers the surface of the soil, preventing moisture from evaporating. The capacity of the tree bath watering bag is 75 to 100 l and is sufficient to supply a whitebeam. Attaching and filling the watering bag for the whitebeam is simple and straightforward. The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and closed with a zip. In the next step, fill the bag with enough water so that after further alignment there are no more wrinkles in the lower area and then let it fill up.

Fertilizing whitebeam

The whitebeam usually does not require additional fertilization. It is an undemanding plant and can thrive in most soils. However, if the soil is particularly poor in nutrients, organic fertilizer such as compost or manure can be applied to the soil in spring and lightly worked in. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth. Care should be taken not to apply mulch directly to the stem of the whitebeam. This can lead to fungal or mold problems that can damage the stem of the plant.

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