Plant Details

Sorbus torminalis

Wild Service Tree, Checkertree

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Sorbus torminalis.

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Common names

4 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Checkertree
  • Wild Service Tree
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Elsbes
French
  • Alisier torminal
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Sorbus torminalis
Accepted name (Kew): Aria torminalis View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Sorbus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Wild Service Tree, Checkertree

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 8–12 m

RHS ultimate size range in UK growing conditions; cultivar, rootstock and pruning affect size.

Sources [2]
Spread: 4–8 m

RHS ultimate size range in UK growing conditions; cultivar, rootstock and pruning affect size.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Wood

Description

The wild service tree is deciduous, with lobed leaves and small brown fruits.

Sources [2] [3] [4]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Broad pyramidal
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Aria torminalis (L.) Beck, name ID 2942149, row 1433439; Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz, name ID 2992459, row 1433447
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 855534; name ID 2991335; Sorbus L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Horticultural Society Sorbus torminalis — wild service tree
    Supports: DescriptionHeightSpreadFoliage
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Foliage; Cultivation; Potentially harmful, where applicable
    • Height: Size > Max Height
    • Spread: Size > Max Spread
    • Foliage: Botanical details > Foliage

    Source checked on .

  3. International Dendrology Society Torminalis glaberrima — Trees and Shrubs Online
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Species account; botanical description and cited horticultural observations

    Source checked on .

  4. Woodland Trust Wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis)
    Supports: Description
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Species description and Uses section

    Source checked on .