Sorbus hibernica
Common names: Irish Whitebeam
Irish name: Fionncholl gaelach
Latin name: Sorbus hibernica
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Endemic to Ireland
Tree type: Broadleaf deciduous tree
How it looks
Shape, bark, twigs
The Irish Whitebeam can grow as a shrub or a small tree, which can reach heights of 7m. Twigs are grey-brown and hairy when young. The bark is grey and smooth, sometimes developing scaly ridges when mature.
Leaves
The leaves are oval and toothed most of the way around the leaf except at the base. Each leaf has 9-11 pairs of veins and a dense covering of white silky hairs on the undersides. When the leaves first burst, the white undersides can make a distant tree appear white but gradually become greener as upper leaf surfaces turn down. The upper surface of young leaves may also be hairy.
Flowers
The Irish whitebeam produces flat-topped clusters of small white five-petaled flowers between May and June. This tree is thought to be an apomictic species, meaning it produces seeds without fertilisation, which develop into clones of the parent plant.
Fruits
The flowers develop into clusters of globular green berries with persistent sepals, which ripen into red berries in September. They are readily consumed by birds during autumn and winter, which assists in dispersing their seed.
Similar species
Common whitebeam (Sorbus aria) and Rock whitebeam (Sorbus rupicola). Compared to the teeth of the leaf margins in S. hibernica which are straight and symmetrical, those of S. aria point upwards. Likewise, the leaf undersurfaces of S. hibernica are denser than those of S. aria. In comparison with Sorbus rupicola or rock whitebeam, where the lower part of the leaf has no teeth, S. Hibernica and S. aria have teeth around most of the leaf. The leaves of the latter two are also shorter and wider than the leaves of S. rupicola
Where to find it
The Irish whitebeam is an endemic species to Ireland. It favours moist, calcareous soils on cliff edges and rock areas. It is mainly found across the midlands but is scattered throughout Ireland, occurring in most counties. In the past, it was planted to mark boundaries. It can thus be found in old hedgerows.
Cultural Importance
History | Myth, Legend and Folklore | Literature
Evidence from excavations carried out at prehistoric habitation sites in the Lough Gur landscape, County Limerick indicate whitebeam was being used for firewood in the Late Neolthic/Early Bronze Age period (c. 2500 BC). However, excavations in Edercloon, County Longford, tell us that around the same time, people were using whitebeam wood in the construction of wooden trackways to traverse and access the bog for resources. Charcoal from Bronze Age (c. 2500-800 BC) Burnt mount or Fulachta Fiadh (what are thought to be outdoor cooking areas) sites in Galway, suggest that whitebeam continued to be used for fuel as the prehistoric era progressed.
In early Medieval Ireland, the whitebeam was designated as one of the ‘lower divisions of the wood’ and was possibly used to make cudgels of wood for combat. While it was of lesser value than trees such as oak, one could still be fined as much as a two-year-old heifer for damaging another person’s whitebeam tree. Fragments of whitebeam wood found on excavations at Adare Castle, County Limerick suggest that it may have been used during the mid-late Medieval period (c. 1100-1600 AD) to make wooden artefacts such as pegs for wattling, domestic objects such as wooden bowls, and musical instruments. It is thought that in later periods whitebeam timber was particularly valued for shipbuilding and furniture making.
The Irish name for whitebeam, Fionncholl, literally means white hazel. Unusually, however, the name is not found in Irish placenames. The scientific name of whitebeam hibernica is the latin name for Ireland, referring to the endemic nature of the tree.
The whitebeam is a symbol of royal authority and truth in the Irish myths. In some of the stories such as The Wooing of Étaín, Kings and royal messengers are often holding or carrying with them rods or staffs of whitebeam to symbolise their royal connection and authority.
The whitebeam features in Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, The Starlight Night, and in George Meredith’s poem, Love in the Valley, both of which employ the tree to describe a beautiful, emotive nature scene.
Value to Wildlife
The Irish whitebeam is of great significance to wildlife. Its flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators, while its fruit is a crucial food source for birds. The leaves are also the larval food plant for several moth caterpillar species. Additionally, the tree is a well-known roosting spot for birds and offers important nesting sites.
Threats
With its small and scattered population and the continuing failure to expand its range and numbers, the Irish whitebeam is impacted by habitat damage and the destruction of individual trees. Whitebeam is also very palatable to browsing animals such as deer.
The bacterial disease fireblight was first recorded in Ireland in 1986, and it was likely introduced via infected imported plants. Fireblight is a highly contagious plant disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. It affects Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus (apple), Pyrus (pear), Crataegus (hawthorn) and Sorbus (Rowan and whitebeams) trees. In 2023, there were seven outbreaks across 11 counties. Symptoms include:
- Wilting and death of flower clusters following blossom infection.
- Withering and death of young shoots
- Leaves showing necrotic patches, which spread from the leaf margin or the leaf stem, which generally remains attached to the plant.
- Infected fruit turning brown or black; these become shrivelled but remain attached to the plant.
- Cankering, which may spread into the main stem and kill the plant by ring barking it.
If you find signs of fireblight please submit images to DAFM at: plantsandpests@agriculture.gov.ie
Incorrectly timed pruning or damage to the tree can make whitebeam trees vulnerable to silver leaf disease. This fungal disease enters through wounds during the cool, wet part of the year, blocking the tree's water-carrying vessels and causing wilting, often resulting in tree death.
Uses
In the past, whitebeam timber has been used to make chairs, beams, cogs, tools, and wheels for machinery. It is valuable source of firewood, producing high-quality charcoal, and the berries of the whitebeam are edible.
References
- Grogan, E. and Eogan, G., 1987. Lough Gur excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin: further Neolithic and Beaker habitations on Knockadoon. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, 87(c), pp.299-506.
- Bermingham, N., Plunkett, G., Reilly, E. and Stuijts, I. 2009. Revealing the ancient environment of Edercloon, Seanda, 4, 12-15.
- Dunne, L., and Kiely, J. 2013. Archaeological Excavation Report: Adare Castle, Co. Limerick, Eachtra Journal, 16. Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Archaeological report Adare Castle, Co. Limerick | PDF
- Fallon, D. and Tierney, J. 2009. Archaeological Excavation Report: Mackney, Co. Galway, Eachtra Journal, 2. Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Archaeological Excavation Report - E2443 Mackney, Co. Galway | PDF
- Kelly, F. 1999. Trees in Early Ireland, Augustine Henry Memorial Lecture 11th March 1999, Irish forestry: Journal of the Society of Irish Foresters, 56, 39-57.
- McLoughlin, J. 2008. Whitebeam Fionncholl (Sorbus), Magill. Whitebeam Fionncholl (Sorbus) | Magill
- Poetry Foundation. N.d. Love in the Valley by George Meredith, Poetry Foundation. Love in the Valley | The Poetry Foundation
- Poetry Foundation. N.d. The Starlight Night by Gerard Manley Hopkins, Poetry Foundation. The Starlight Night | The Poetry Foundation
- Rich, T. C. G., Houston, L., Robertson, A. and Proctor, M. C. F. 2010. Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees of Britain and Ireland. A monograph of British and Irish Sorbus L. B.S.B.I. Handbook No. 14. Botanical Society of the British Isles. London.
- Stroh, P. A., Humphrey, T. A., Burkmar, R. J., Pescott, O. L., Roy, D. B., & Walker, K. J. 2023. BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas
- Wild flower Web. N.d. Irish Whitebeam: Sorbus hibernica, Wild flower Web. http://www.wildflowerweb.co.uk/plant/2060/irish-whitebeam