GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Wild Service Tree

Sorbus torminalis · Tree

Hardiness
H6 Hardy — very cold winter (to −15 to −20°C)
Position
Full sun, Partial shade
Height × Spread
30 m × —
Soil
moderately fertile, humus-rich soil; moist but well-drained; deep, fertile soil
Flowering
May–June
Toxicity
Fruit are ornamental, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

The Gardening Year

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🌸 In flower

Watch out for

Fireblight: Prune out infected wood well below the visible symptoms during dry weather, disinfecting tools between cuts.

Apple canker: Cut out cankers with a sharp knife down to healthy wood and apply wound paint to prevent reinfection.

Honey fungus: Improve drainage and avoid soil compaction; severe cases may require removal of the tree to prevent spread.

Silver leaf: Prune out infected branches and avoid wounding the bark, as the fungus enters through injuries.

Aphids: Encourage natural predators like ladybirds or use a strong jet of water to dislodge them.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/wild-service-tree © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia