Whitebeams  (Sorbus spp)

Threats

Rowan is a common species, more particularly as it has been planted as an amenity tree in gardens and along residential streets in towns and cities, as have whitebeams.

The other species, it seems, have never been particularly common in the UK, particularly the 14 'micro' species. It is quite possible that they are on the northern edge of their range, especially in the case of the whitebeam. It is difficult to assess whether they are truly endangered in the accepted sense, as it is by no mean certain that they were ever common in this county. Sorbus domestica is rare and may have declined considerably in recent years.

Conservation

The various rare whitebeam species are included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme whilst S. leyana is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plans. Work on these species is limited, primarily, to protecting the sites where they occur and carrying out genetic studies to ascertain their provenance. It is highly likely that other curious and isolated varieties of Sorbus may be discovered in isolated, and almost inaccessible parts of the British Isles.

left