The mountain ash, also known botanically as Sorbus aucuparia, and popularly known as rowanberry, is one of the most popular ornamental plants in German parks and gardens. The name “rowan” is derived because the rowan has pinnate leaves that are confusingly similar to those of the ash and the rowan also has a certain similarity to the ash in other ways.
How to cut a mountain ash correctly?
To prune a mountain ash properly, you should prune shortly after the flowering period between May and June. When doing so, remove branches and twigs directly at the trunk and ensure that cutting tools are clean and disinfected to prevent infections.
The mountain ash and its importance for the bird world
The mountain ash is used as a food plant for many species of birds. This property also gave the mountain ash the popular name “rowanberry” or “rowanberry tree”. The bright red fruits not only attract numerous birds, but are also a main reason for the tree's popularity in numerous park landscapes in Germany.
The rowanberry as a garden plant
Due to its moderate foliage, the mountain ash is a popular ornamental tree in the German garden landscape. The characteristic of initially growing quickly and later only growing moderately also makes the rowanberry a popular plant in German gardens. But what care does the mountain ash need and, above all, how should it be cut back in the garden?
Cutting back the mountain ash – this is how it works
Even if the rowan is a frugal plant in terms of growing conditions, with the exception of its sensitivity to heat, and pruning is only rarely necessary, pruning is always recommended if the tree's growth is to be limited or there is an infestation with pests. The best time for pruning is shortly after the flowering period, i.e. between May and June. When pruning, it is important to ensure that the branches and twigs are removed directly from the trunk.
Due to the high ornamental value of the berries, it should also be noted that if inflorescences are removed, no berries will grow in this area and the tree will therefore have numerous “bare spots”. It is also important that the cutting tools (knives, scissors) must be cleaned extremely meticulously and, if possible, pre-treated with a surface disinfectant.
By working aseptically at the interfaces, possible infections of the plant with pests or microbial germs or fungi can be avoided. If the rowan is already infected with germs, the cutting tool must be cleaned and disinfected after using the cutting tool to avoid the spread of germs.
Incidentally, recent research has shown that post-treatment of the cut surfaces by coating the cut surface with special sealants is not only unnecessary, but can actually harm the tree rather than prove useful. If you follow the instructions for pruning rowan trees, you will enjoy the sight of the red berries for a long time and will also provide food for numerous birds in the garden.