Aria edulis

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position. Tolerates acid sands and thin chalky soils[98, 200]. Does well on heavy clays. Tolerates light shade, though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution and of exposed maritime positions. The whitebeam is one of the first colonizers of chalk scrub. As well as being a good pioneer species for this situation, it will often survive through the development to woodland. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Trees cast a fairly dense shade when mature. Regenerating well after cutting, it is suitable for coppicing. The fruit is very attractive to birds. Plants are susceptible to fireblight. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1]. Many Sorbus species are not self-fertile and require cross-pollination with another variety for optimal fruit set. Whitebeam is a monoceous hermaphrodite species with white flowers. Flowers are insect pollinated and self-incompatible in the diploid sexual species3. Pollination is primarily conducted by insects, including bees and butterflies, which are attracted to the flowers for their nectar. The fruits are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn, from August to October (Northern Hemisphere), once they are fully ripe. Sorbus species usually flower in late spring to early summer, generally from May to June (Northern Hemisphere), producing clusters of white or pink flowers. Sorbus species are generally moderate to fast-growing, with some species reaching maturity in about 5 to 10 years, depending on species and growing conditions. References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information Temperature Converter Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit: Celsius Fahrenheit: The PFAF Bookshop Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants , Edible Perennials , Edible Trees , Edible Shrubs , Woodland Gardening , and Temperate Food Forest Plants . Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical) . Shop Now

Fruit - raw or cooked and used in preserves etc. The fruit is usually bletted if it is going to be eaten raw[2, 3, 5, 105, 115, 183]. This involves storing the fruit in a cool dry place until it is almost but not quite going rotten. At this stage the fruit has a delicious taste, somewhat like a luscious tropical fruit[K]. Fruit from some trees has a pleasant mild flavour and a mealy texture, we like eating small quantities of it. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a powder and mixed with cereals such as wheat[2, 46, 66]. The fruit is about 10 - 12mm across. References More on Edible Uses

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78, 80]. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed[78, 80]. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification, so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two, but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.