Sorbus aria
Common names: Common whitebeam, whitebeam, chess apple, quickbeam, and white hazel
Irish name: Fionncholl
Latin name: Sorbus aria
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Unknown
Tree type: Deciduous broadleaf tree
How it Looks
Shape, bark, twigs
Common whitebeam can grow to 15m tall and forms a dome-shaped canopy. The bark is smooth and grey when young and darkens as the tree ages. Young twigs start hairy and become smooth later.
Buds
Buds alternate on the twig, which grows out from the stem. They are green with apparent reddish scales, with only the edges of the buds having hair.
Leaves
Leaves are thick and broadly oval with irregular serrated edges. They are approximately 6-12 cm long and 4-8 cm wide and have around 10-15 pairs of veins and short leaf stalks. The top side of the leaf is dark green and smooth, while the underside is covered in white hairs, giving it a pale appearance and felt-like texture. They fade to a rich golden/russet colour before falling in autumn.
Flowers
The flowers appear in May, shortly after the leaves. These white blossoms appear in round domed bunches (5-10cm) and are sweetly scented. Each flower has five petals (1.5cm diameter) and contains both male and female reproductive parts, known as hermaphrodites. The flowers are pollinated by insects, mainly flies.
Fruits
Once pollinated, the flowers develop into green berries, which ripen into bright red berries in September. The berries have white speckles and are 8-15 mm in diameter. They are readily consumed by birds during autumn and winter, which assists in dispersing their black seed.
Similar Species
Where to Find it
Common whitebeam is native to southern, western, and central Europe. It is still debated as to whether it is a native to Ireland. It is most commonly found on the limestone soils of Co. Galway, rarely being found wild elsewhere in Ireland. It is a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
Common whitebeam is a low-maintenance tree that can withstand exposure, windy positions, and dry urban situations. It grows best in lime-rich soils and commonly grows in hedgerows, chalk downland, and cliffs.
Cultural Importance
History | Myth, Legend and Folklore | Literature
Evidence from excavations carried out at prehistoric habitation sites in the Lough Gur landscape, County Limerick indicate whitebeam was being used for firewood in the Late Neolthic/Early Bronze Age period (c. 2500 BC). However, excavations in Edercloon, County Longford, tell us that around the same time, people were using whitebeam wood in the construction of wooden trackways to traverse and access the bog for resources. Charcoal from Bronze Age (c. 2500-800 BC) Burnt mount or Fulachta Fiadh (what are thought to be outdoor cooking areas) sites in Galway, suggest that whitebeam continued to be used for fuel as the prehistoric era progressed.
In early Medieval Ireland, the whitebeam was designated as one of the ‘lower divisions of the wood’ and was possibly used to make cudgels of wood for combat. While it was of lesser value than trees such as oak, one could still be fined as much as a two-year-old heifer for damaging another person’s whitebeam tree. Fragments of whitebeam wood found on excavations at Adare Castle, County Limerick suggest that it may have been used during the mid-late Medieval period (c. 1100-1600 AD) to make wooden artefacts such as pegs for wattling, domestic objects such as wooden bowls, and musical instruments. It is thought that in later periods whitebeam timber was particularly valued for shipbuilding and furniture making.
The Irish name for whitebeam, Fionncholl, literally means white hazel. Unusually, however, the name is not found in Irish placenames.
In other European cultures, whitebeam timber has been used to make chairs, beams, cogs, tools, and wheels for machinery. The fruit although not very pleasant tasting is edible, and in Germany was ground and added to flour for making bread and pastries, hence earning it the name Mehlbeere which translates at Flour Berry. The fruits, leaves and twigs were also used as fodder for Livestock.
Historically, the leaves and fruit of the whitebeam were also used in the preparation of various traditional medicines.
Amongst various European cultures, whitebeam was traditionally associated with the qualities of protection, wisdom, spirituality, good luck, and fertility. It was also believed to have magical properties.
In the Irish myths, the whitebeam is a symbol of royal authority and truth. In some of the stories such as The Wooing of Étaín, Kings and royal messengers are often holding or carrying with them rods or staffs of whitebeam to symbolise their royal connection and authority.
The whitebeam features in Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, The Starlight Night, and in George Meredith’s poem, Love in the Valley, both of which employ the tree to describe a beautiful, emotive nature scene.
Value to Wildlife
The Common Whitebeam is a tree that is of great significance to wildlife. Its flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators, while its fruit is a crucial food source for birds. The leaves are also the larval food plant for several moth caterpillar species. Additionally, the tree is a well-known roosting spot for birds and offers important nesting sites.
Threats
The bacterial disease fireblight was first recorded in Ireland in 1986, and it was likely introduced via infected imported plants. Fireblight is a highly contagious plant disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. It affects Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus (apple), Pyrus (pear), Crataegus (hawthorn) and Sorbus (Rowan and whitebeams) trees. In 2023, there were seven outbreaks across 11 counties. Symptoms include:
- Wilting and death of flower clusters following blossom infection.
- Withering and death of young shoots
- Leaves showing necrotic patches, which spread from the leaf margin or the leaf stem, and which generally remains attached to the plant.
- Infected fruit turning brown or black; these become shrivelled but remain attached to the plant.
- Cankering, which may spread into the main stem and kill the plant by ring barking it.
If you find signs of fireblight please submit images to DAFM at: plantsandpests@agriculture.gov.ie
Incorrect timing of pruning or damage to the tree can make whitebeam trees vulnerable to silver leaf disease. This fungal disease enters through wounds during the cool, wet part of the year, blocking the tree's water-carrying vessels and causing wilting, often resulting in tree death.
Whitebeam is also very palatable to browsing animals such as deer.
To learn more about threats to Irish trees, visit ‘Threats to Irish Trees.’
Uses
Whitebeam timber is a type of wood that has many desirable qualities. It is known for being fine and evenly grained, as well as hard and durable. The wood is a matte pinkish-white colour when it is first cut, but as it ages, it turns red with brown veins. These qualities make it a popular choice for wood turning and fine joinery. It is also a valuable source of firewood, producing high-quality charcoal.
References
- Grogan, E. and Eogan, G., 1987. Lough Gur excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin: further Neolithic and Beaker habitations on Knockadoon. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, 87(c), pp.299-506.
- Bermingham, N., Plunkett, G., Reilly, E. and Stuijts, I. 2009. Revealing the ancient environment of Edercloon, Seanda, 4, 12-15.
- Dunne, L., and Kiely, J. 2013. Archaeological Excavation Report: Adare Castle, Co. Limerick, Eachtra Journal, 16. Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Archaeological report Adare Castle, Co. Limerick | PDF
- Fallon, D. and Tierney, J. 2009. Archaeological Excavation Report: Mackney, Co. Galway, Eachtra Journal, 2. Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Archaeological Excavation Report - E2443 Mackney, Co. Galway | PDF
- Kelly, F. 1999. Trees in Early Ireland, Augustine Henry Memorial Lecture 11th March 1999, Irish forestry: Journal of the Society of Irish Foresters, 56, 39-57.
- McLoughlin, J. 2008. Whitebeam Fionncholl (Sorbus), Magill. Whitebeam Fionncholl (Sorbus) | Magill
- Poetry Foundation. N.d. Love in the Valley by George Meredith, Poetry Foundation. Love in the Valley | The Poetry Foundation
- Poetry Foundation. N.d. The Starlight Night by Gerard Manley Hopkins, Poetry Foundation. The Starlight Night | The Poetry Foundation
- Rich, T. C. G., Houston, L., Robertson, A. and Proctor, M. C. F. 2010. Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees of Britain and Ireland. A monograph of British and Irish Sorbus L. B.S.B.I. Handbook No. 14. Botanical Society of the British Isles. London.
- Stroh, P. A., Humphrey, T. A., Burkmar, R. J., Pescott, O. L., Roy, D. B., & Walker, K. J. 2023. BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas
- Welk, E., de Rigo, D., and Caudullo, G. 2016. Sorbus aria in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publ. Off. EU, Luxembourg, pp. e01e816+
- Wild flower Web. N.d. Common Whitebeam: Sorbus aria, Wild flower Web. Common Whitebeam - A Guide to Planting and Care | Wildflower Web