Sorbus domestica L. Service-tree

Starting references Family Rosaceae IUCN category (2001) Critically Endangered Habit Shrub or small tree. Habitat S.-facing coastal cliff ledges and in cliff scrub and gorge woodland. Reasons for decline

Distribution in wild Country Locality & Vice County Sites Population (10km2 (plants) occurences) England The Severn, W. Worcestershire 2 2 (1 tree/ site) The Bristol Avon 1 6 Wales Glamorgan & Monmouthshire 1 22

Ex situ Collections Gardens close to the region of distribution of the species 1 National Botanic Garden of Wales 2 Swansea Botanic Garden 3 Dyffryn Gardens 4 Batsford Arboretum 5 Hidcote Manor Garden (NT) 6 Westonbirt Arboretum 7 Highgrove 8 Bristol Zoo Gardens 9 University of Bristol Botanic Garden 10 Wildwalk At-Bristol Gardens with specialisation on genus Sorbus Batsford Arboretum Cambridge University Botanic Garden Dawyck Botanic Garden Granada Arboretum Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens Savill & Valley Gardens Sheffield Park Gardens Treborth Botanic Garden University of Bristol Botanic Garden University of Durham Botanic Garden Westonbirt Arboretum Winkworth Arboretum Younger Botanic Garden, Benmore Potential to grow the species in ex situ Collections From Plants For A Future • Propagation Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed. Stored seed germinates better if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification, so sow it as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put on top-growth for their first year or two, but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring. • Cultivation Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position. Tolerates light shade, though it fruits better in a sunny position. The service tree is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit. There are 2 distinct forms, S. domestica pomifera. (Hayne.)Rehd. with apple shaped fruits (which ripen from September) and S. domestica pyriformis. (Hayne.)Rehd. with pear shaped fruits which ripen from October. Plants are susceptible to fireblight and to canker (which is especially prevalent in areas with high rainfall). They grow best in the drier areas of Britain, which in general means the eastern half of the country.

Conservation information Linkages to BAPs Designated LBAP Areas sites with records for Sorbus domestica are listed on http://www.searchnbn.net Habitat Management Protected sites with records for Sorbus domestica are listed on http://www.searchnbn.net Conservation programmes Unknown

Web References • NBN Gateway database : http://www.searchnbn.net • Plants For A Future Database: http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi- bin/arr_html?Sorbus+domestica&CAN=LATIND