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Llangollen Whitebeam

Sorbus cuneifolia

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous tree
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
6 metres tall
Habitats:
Cliffs, rocky places.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Clusters of white flowers.
Fruit:
The fruit is a red berry.
Leaves:
Broadly ovate leaves with lobed margins. The leaves are greenish-white beneath. There is a possibility that this tree is likely to be misidentified as English Whitebeam (Sorbus anglica) and Rock Whitebeam (Sorbus rupicola). English Whitebeam leaves have more rounded bases. The leaves of Rock Whitebeam are unlobed and it has bigger, bright red berries. Llangollen Whitebeam can be found just to the west of Wrexham and south west of Oswestry in Shropshire. It is so rare that only a few trees exist.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

English Whitebeam

Other Information

Summary

Sorbus cuneifolia, also known as Llangollen Whitebeam, is a rare tree species native to the cliffs of Eglwyseg Mountain in Denbighshire, Wales. It was first recognized as a distinct species in the 1950s and was formally described as a new species in 2009. It is characterized by its white flowers, yellowish-green leaves, and small, ovoid-shaped fruit. The population of Sorbus cuneifolia is estimated to be around 240 individuals, making it a critically endangered species. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species and other rare trees in the area.

Blog

Llangollen Whitebream, Sorbus cuneifolia: A Unique and Endangered Species of Tree

Llangollen Whitebream, also known as Sorbus cuneifolia, is a rare species of tree that is native to the British Isles. This tree is unique in its appearance, growing to be a small shrub or a larger tree, with a height of up to 8 meters. It is a deciduous tree and is known for its white bark and delicate, bright green leaves.

The Llangollen Whitebream is a species that is listed as endangered due to its limited distribution. It is only found in a small area around the town of Llangollen in North Wales, where it grows in damp, shady valleys and along the banks of rivers and streams.

This tree is of great botanical and ecological significance, as it is a representative of the whitebeam family, Sorbus. This family is known for its diverse range of species, many of which are used for ornamental purposes. The Llangollen Whitebream is particularly important as it is believed to have evolved independently from other species of whitebeam.

Despite its limited distribution, the Llangollen Whitebream is a hardy species that is well adapted to its environment. It is able to grow in a range of soils, including those that are alkaline or acidic, and it is also tolerant of damp and shady conditions. This makes it an ideal species for planting in areas that are challenging for other trees to grow in.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect and conserve the Llangollen Whitebream. The UK government has recognized the importance of this species and has included it on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In addition, the Woodland Trust and other organizations are working to preserve and protect the remaining populations of this tree.

The Llangollen Whitebream is a unique and endangered species of tree that is of great botanical and ecological significance. With continued conservation efforts, this tree will continue to thrive and play an important role in the biodiversity of the British Isles.

In addition to its botanical significance, the Llangollen Whitebream also holds cultural and historical importance. This tree has been a part of the landscape in North Wales for centuries and has been mentioned in many local legends and folklore. For example, it is said that the white bark of the tree was once used as a source of white dye for local woolen cloth.

The wood of the Llangollen Whitebream is also valuable, being hard and durable. It is a sought after material for use in furniture making and other crafts, due to its distinctive grain pattern and bright white color. In the past, the tree was also used for fuel and for making charcoal.

However, due to its limited distribution and endangered status, the use of Llangollen Whitebream for commercial purposes is now strictly regulated. The tree is protected by law and it is illegal to remove or damage it without a special license.

Despite these protections, the Llangollen Whitebream is still threatened by various factors, including disease, habitat loss, and climate change. Climate change is particularly concerning, as it is causing changes in the local environment that could impact the survival of this species.

To help protect and conserve the Llangollen Whitebream, it is important to support conservation efforts and to educate others about this unique and valuable species of tree. By raising awareness about its importance, we can ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy and appreciate the beauty and significance of this rare and fascinating species.

Another important aspect in conserving the Llangollen Whitebream is the restoration and expansion of its habitat. This involves planting new specimens of the tree in suitable areas, and working to create an environment that is conducive to its growth and survival. This may involve controlling invasive species, reducing the impact of human activities, and restoring degraded areas to their natural state.

Another way to help conserve the Llangollen Whitebream is through seed collection and propagation. By collecting and growing seed from the tree, it is possible to establish new populations in different locations, reducing the risk of the species becoming extinct. This is important for the long-term survival of the tree and for maintaining the diversity of the whitebeam family.

Individuals can also help conserve the Llangollen Whitebream by becoming involved in local conservation initiatives and by supporting organizations that are working to protect the tree and its habitat. For example, you can volunteer to help with habitat restoration projects, participate in tree planting events, or make a donation to organizations that are working to conserve this species.

In conclusion, the Llangollen Whitebream is a rare and valuable species of tree that is in need of our protection. By working together and taking action, we can help ensure that this tree continues to thrive and play an important role in the ecosystem of North Wales. Whether through supporting conservation efforts, planting new trees, or simply educating others about its significance, every little bit helps to ensure the survival of this fascinating species for future generations.