(by Diane De Luca)
American Mountain Ash is a small, understory tree that is native to Eastern North America. This tree typically grows in moist habitat along the borders of swamps and rocky hillsides and is noted for its open crown, showy white spring flowers, compound leaves, and bright orange-red clusters of fruit in the fall
The white flowers bloom in May and June and are followed by large clusters of red berry-like fruits. The late spring blooms attract large numbers of native bees. Abundant fruit that persists through the winter makes this tree especially valuable for wildlife. The berries are eaten by numerous birds including Ruffed Grouse, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Blue Jays, and Evening Grosbeaks as well as a number of small mammals. The American Mountain Ash is also a favored browse for moose and white-tailed deer. Fishers and snowshoe hares will also browse on the twigs and bark.
This species of Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) can be cultivated as an ornamental tree for use in gardens and parks.