The American Mountain Ash can grow up to 10 meters tall, and have short trunks and smooth bark (8).  They have fibrous roots and spreading branches (7,8).  

The American Mountain Ash is deciduous and its leaves are alternate and compound with 13 to 17 elliptical, toothed leaflets (8).  The leaflets turn yellow in the autumn months (2).  

Its large clusters of white, ¼ inch, flat-topped flowers bloom in May and early June (3, 11).  The berries are reddish-orange and ripen in August or September (3).  The berries can remain on the tree all winter (3). 

Location on Campus

The American Mountain Ash tree on the Nazareth College campus is located directly behind the psychology center.  It is located among a group of trees toward the left side.  The American Mountain Ash tree is relatively easy to pick out because of its spreading branches and distinctive reddish-orange berries. 

Native Habitat and Current Range

Optimal Growing Conditions

Sorbus americana courtesy  of USDA-NRCS PLANTS  database (William S. Justice) (2)

The American Mountain Ash tree needs moist, fertile soil in order to grow (7).  It thrives in openings and woods, and is intolerant of shade (8).  Growth of the American Mountain Ash requires soil with a pH between 4.7 and 6.0, and at least 1.7% organic matter (7).

 

Economic Importance

The American Mountain Ash is important in the floriculture industry.  Many people buy these trees for ornamental purposes because they are relatively small, have bright fruit and beautiful fall foliage (3).

Ethnobotanical and Cultural Information

Sorbus americana flowers (10)

The berries of the American Mountain Ash can be eaten by humans, but are too acidic to be eaten raw (8).  The berries are often made into jellies or cooked with meats (8). The berries are very rich in iron and vitamin C (9). 

The berries have been used for domestic remedies (3).  For instance ripe berries have been used in a gargle to soothe sore throats, to treat scurvy, as a remedy for hemorrhoids, and as a tonic for malarial fevers (4).  The bark was used as an anti-malarial medicine by pioneer doctors because of its close resemblance to the Quinine tree (4).

Culturally, the American Mountain Ash has played an important role in the folklore of the Old World (3).  It was thought to ward off evil influences and was known as “Thor’s helper” (3).  Small pieces of American Mountain Ash wood were thought to posses the ability to prevent any impending disaster (3). 

The American Mountain Ash was believed by American settlers in the 18th century to be powerful in exorcising witches and was known as Witchwood (5). It is often called the Witch tree today because its berries have a pentagram at their base (5).

Fascinating Facts

Sorbus americana berries (5)

• Very few tree species have berries that remain on the tree throughout winter.  The berries of the American Mountain Ash are an important food supply for birds in winter because they do not fall off the tree (8).
  

• The berries of American Mountain Ash are used as a food source by many species of birds and small mammals.  These animals include grouse, robins, squirrels, jays, and rodents (1).
  

• Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are capable of drilling trees, such as the American Mountain Ash, in order to obtain sweet-flavored sap (9).
    

• The seeds of the American Mountain Ash tree are thought to contain hydrogen cyanide (6).  Unless the seeds taste bitter, they should be safe to eat in relatively small amounts (6). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide is thought to stimulate respiration and improve digestion (6).  Hydrogen cyanide is also thought to help in the treatment of cancer (6). If consumed in excess, however, it can lead to respiratory distress and ultimately death (6).

Other Interesting Sites

http://www.borealforest.org/shrubs/shrub46.htm
This site contains a detailed description of the leaves, flowers, fruit and habitat of the American Mountain Ash.  

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/ashmo076.html
This site describes the medicinal and cultural uses of the American Mountain Ash.  

References: Articles, Books, Reference Materials, and the Web

1. All Reference.  <http://www.1upinfo.com/wildlife-plants-animals/plants/tree/sorame/value-use.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.

2. Beaulieu, D.  <http://landscaping.about.com/cs/landscapecolor/a/fall_foliage1.htm>  Accessed 11/18/03.

3. Columbia Encyclopedia.  <http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0834246.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.

4. Grieve, M.  <http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/ashmo076.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.

5. Grieve, M.  <http://www.herbdatanz.com/mountain_ash_picture_monograph.htm> Accessed 11/18/03.

6. Marsh, M.  <http://www.gardenbed.com/s/3754.cfm>  Accessed 11/18/03.

7. Rook, E.  <http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/trees/sorbusam.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.

8. Runesson, U. T.  <http://www.borealforest.org/shrubs/shrub46.htm>  Accessed 11/18/03. 

9. Schneider, G.  <http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/~garyschneider/shrub/montash.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.

10. South St. Louis Water Conservation District.    <http://www.southstlouisswcd.org/tree%20pics/mtn%20ash.htm>  Accessed 11/18/03.

11. Synor, T. D..  <http://ohioline.osu.edu/b700/b700_41.html>  Accessed 11/18/03.