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Recyclable Packaging

Bee & Insect Friendly

Wild Service Tree 20/40cm (P9T)

Sorbus torminalis

£14.49

The Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis, is a native British tree that offers year-round interest. It features distinctive lobed leaves, spring flowers, and autumn berries. This medium-sized tree is known for its spectacular autumn colours and historical significance. It’s an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly UK gardens.

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The Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis, is a charming and often overlooked native British tree that can bring a touch of woodland magic to your garden. This deciduous tree offers year-round interest with its changing seasonal displays.

In spring, the Wild Service Tree bursts into life with clusters of creamy-white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. The leaves unfurl in a distinctive lobed shape, reminiscent of maple leaves, providing a lush green canopy throughout summer.

As autumn approaches, the tree truly comes into its own. The leaves transform into a spectacular array of golds, oranges, and reds, creating a vibrant show of colour. At the same time, small brown berries appear, known as ‘chequers’. These fruits were once used to brew beer and are still enjoyed by birds and small mammals.

The Wild Service Tree has an interesting place in British folklore and history. Its wood was prized for making screws for wine presses and cogs for mill wheels. The tree’s common name is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon ‘syrfe’, meaning ‘to serve’, possibly referring to its usefulness.

In the garden, this tree makes an excellent specimen plant or can be incorporated into a native hedgerow. Its medium size makes it suitable for many gardens, and its wildlife value adds an extra dimension to your outdoor space.

The Wild Service Tree is a hardy and adaptable species that thrives in UK gardens. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil but can tolerate a range of conditions, including clay and chalk. Plant in full sun or partial shade for best results. When young, water regularly to establish a strong root system, but once established, the tree is quite drought-tolerant. Mulching around the base can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pruning is generally not necessary unless you need to remove dead or crossing branches, which is best done in late winter or early spring. The Wild Service Tree is generally resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice. However, keep an eye out for signs of leaf spot or fire blight, treating promptly if spotted. With its easy-going nature and multiple seasons of interest, this native tree is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support local wildlife and add year-round beauty to their landscape.

UK grown.

Supplied in a 9cm tall pot approx 20/40cm tall.

Season of Interest

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade, Partial Sun


Pot Size

9cm (Tall)

Foliage

Deciduous

Foliage Colour

Green

Hardiness

-20°C to -15°C (H6)

When Mature

Safety

Thorns

Watering

Moderate

Preferred Soil Type

Any well drained soil

Preferred Soil pH

Neutral


British Native
British Native

RHS Plants for Pollinators

Our unique tall 9cm pots is a smart strategy for cultivating trees with strong and deep root systems. This practice can lead to healthier and more resilient trees that are better prepared for transplantation and long-term growth in your UK garden.

Promoting Deep Root Development with Tall 9cm Pots:

1. Enhanced Root Growth: Using tall pots, such as 9cm pots, encourages trees to develop a deeper and more extensive root system. The added height of the pot allows the tree’s roots to grow downward, seeking nutrients and water in the lower soil layers.

2. Reduced Root Circling: Traditional, shallower pots can sometimes lead to root circling, where the roots grow in a circular pattern around the pot’s base. This can restrict the tree’s ability to access essential resources. Tall pots mitigate this issue, as roots are less likely to encounter physical barriers that encourage circling.

3. Improved Stability: The additional depth provided by tall pots offers improved stability for young trees. It allows for better anchoring and support, which is particularly important during periods of strong winds or inclement weather.

4. Better Soil Temperature Regulation: Tall pots offer improved insulation for the root system. This can help maintain more stable soil temperatures, protecting the roots from extreme heat or cold. This is crucial for healthy root development, especially in the unpredictable UK climate.

5. Reduced Transplant Shock: When it’s time to transplant a tree from a tall pot into the ground, the deeper root system developed in the tall pot can reduce transplant shock. The tree is better equipped to establish itself in its new environment.

6. Versatility: Tall pots are versatile and can accommodate a wide range of tree species. They are particularly useful for growing trees that have a taproot, which naturally grows deeper.

Delivery
Yarrow Gardens aim to have your order with you in fastest time possible and safest method of transport. Dependent on the parcel size and geographical destination in mind with will select the most suitable courier.

You are welcome to collect any times from our nursery in Euxton, Lancashire. Please contact us to arrange a suitable date and time.

With regret, we can no longer send items out to Northern Ireland. All live plants need a phytosanitary checks and DAERA must be notified. This process is simply too expensive at the moment.

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Returns
In the rare instance that your item has been damaged during delivery or incorrectly shipped by us, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the return and replacement of your item.

Once you have contacted us and we have confirmation that your parcel is on its way back to us we will be happy to issue a refund for the return postage.

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Delivery charges will be based on the highest applicable rate from our rate table, determined by the items in your order.
Alternatively, we offer the option to collect your items in person by prior arrangement.
These prices are based on delivery to UK Mainland. Delivery to Highlands & Islands will be more.
Delivery Class Delivery Cost
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Tracked £3.25 (Flat)
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Second Class £0.95 (Flat)
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Tracked £3.25 (Flat)
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Second Class £2.10 (Flat)
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £7.95 (Flat)This item
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Evri) £4.49 (Flat)This item
Medium Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £7.95 (Flat)
Large Items - Pallet Courier £90.00 (Flat)
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £28.95 (Flat)
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcel Force) £24.95 (Flat)
Pallet Courier - Pallet Courier£90.00 (Flat)

We are a small family business based in Euxton, West Lancashire. We specialise in the supply of trees, shrubs both bare root & cell grown. Much of our stock is grown directly on site from seed or cuttings. Other stock is all UK sourced where possible.

We adhere to industry leading biosecurity measures, this ensures that our nursery remains clean and disease free.

We are DEFRA registered and our nursery is regularly inspected to confirm compliance with all current plant and plant health regulations.

Our Plant Passport Registration Number is GB140010

You can view our Plant Healthy report here.

We are actively working towards the Grown in Britain certification along with the Plant Healthy certification.

Should you have any concern or question in respect of our plant health matters, please get in touch.