Mountain Ash (SORBUS HYBRIDA) - 'Oak Leaf Mountain Ash'
Sorbus hybrida 'Oak Leaf Mountain Ash' boasts excellent resistance to fireblight and beautiful, unique features. It's dark green, oak-shaped leaves adorning it's upright growth habit are large and glossy, with a silvery underside. Showy clusters of white flowers emerge atop the branches in mid spring followed by round, orange berries that highlight the tree's appearance and turn a glossy dark red color in fall. Leaves turn shades of yellow in the fall hanging against the smooth gray bark adding an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Maturing at 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide, Oak Leaf Mountain Ash is rated at USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Be sure to plant this unique tree in well-drained soil and full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH and is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
A relatively low maintenance tree, Oakleaf Mountain Ash is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It can be planted as an accent shade tree or in a group planting balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.