Columnar Oakleaf Mountain Ash
Sorbus x hybrida 'Fastigiata'
Height: 25 feet
Spread: 10 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Description:
An interesting upright accent tree, featuring unique semi-compound foliage with silver undersides, turning shades of yellow in fall; showy clusters of white flowers in spring, dark red berries in fall; needs well drained soil, resistant to fireblight
Ornamental Features
Columnar Oakleaf Mountain Ash features showy clusters of white flowers held atop the branches in mid spring. The orange fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from early to late fall. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy lobed leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Columnar Oakleaf Mountain Ash is a deciduous tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and 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. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Disease
Columnar Oakleaf Mountain Ash is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Vertical Accent
Planting & Growing
Columnar Oakleaf Mountain Ash will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in 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. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.