[Skip to main content](#main-content) ![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/alisier-blanc1.jpg?d=128x128)Whitebeam: Meaning and use ========================== The **Whitebeam** is a **small tree** appreciated by birds and bees. It is a hardy species that tolerates drought, sunshine and poor soil. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ### Whitebeam *Sorbus aria* is found throughout eastern France. In Europe, **Whitebeam** is found mainly in the Mediterranean basin, but also in parts of England and Ireland. Its name comes from its fruit: small red berries that are edible, though tart and mealy. The Latin word *sorbus* comes from the Indo-European word for 'red-fruited tree', while *aria* is the Greek name for an oak tree. [ Become a Tree Owner ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ### Why EcoTree plants Whitebeam **Whitebeam** very good accompanying and diversification species for forests as many of its traits encourage [biodiversity and increase the resilience of a forest's ecosystem](https://ecotree.green/en/biodiversity). A resistant, heliophilous, and nomadic pioneer species, it can grow in poor soil with high sun exposure which it helps to fertilise and enrich. *Sorbus aria* grows well in stony and siliceous soils and can handle uneven water supply. Its **red-orange fruit**, the whitebeam berry, is a false stone fruit that's very popular with birds. In the spring, its **small white flowers** produce nectar that feeds bees and pollinating insects. Its wood also has valuable traits. ### Whitebeam - Overview ### Whitebeam - Overview The **Whitebeam** is a shrubby tree reaching 3 to 20 metres in height and has a straight trunk and an elliptical [crown](https://ecotree.green/en/forestry-definitions#arbre). Its bark is grey and smooth, but can crack slightly with age. Its olive brown branches alternate between leafy and naked. The **Whitebeam** has large, sharp, oblong buds that are slightly slimy and greenish-brown scales fringed with white hairs. Its **deciduous leaves** are alternating grey-green, jagged ovals with shiny tops and hairy, white undersides. Whitebeams have clusters of consistent white flowers on the short branches. They flowers from April to June, pollinated by insects and seeds dispersed by birds. It is a species that grows well from the stump. Read moreRead less ![Whitebeam](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/alisier-blanc2.jpg?d=128x128) ### Whitebeam - Species requirements Whitebeam is a light-loving species, preferring sunshine and needing few water reserves. It grows either in mull and eumull soils, ones rich in bases with a basic to neutral pH (i.e. on decarbonation clays, clays or carbonate formations) Or in a soil poor in bases, with an acid pH. For example, stony or siliceous silts. ### Whitebeam wood **Whitebeam** wood is very hard and dense, fine- and evenly-grained, and matte pinkish-white in colour, which turns red with brown veins with old age. The sapwood cannot be distinguished from the heartwood. It's used in the same way as other rowan trees, though it is less well known perhaps because its stems are smaller. The wood is used to make tools. In the past, it was used to make friction-resistant machine parts. It is very popular for axe handles. It is also a good fuel that yields as much charcoal as [Beech](https://ecotree.green/blog/focus-sur-le-hetre). In Haute-Normandie, the **Whitebeam** is a protected species. ### Symbolism of Whitebeam A nourishing and powerful tree, it symbolises tenacity, endurance, and perseverance. ### Our selection of trees Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change? ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/906ae8a4ea35a2869b0242f79fc29df60611a103.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Only 2 left! Unique opportunity [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7947) [Hungarian oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7947) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Quantity Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/7278672a1b9ea2b27287f1f992e13a5e71f2b315.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Only 28 left! [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7813) [Beech](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7813) €18 Age: 35 to 40 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Quantity Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/3d41f6a299752e5656ee2e0486ee9bbc66a4d8d4.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7785) [Aspen](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7785) €18 Age: 35 to 40 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Quantity Add to cart Please note that this is promotional communication. See our [notice of information](https://ecotree.green/en/notice-of-information). [ See our trees ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Iain has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Steven has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Nicole has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Cara has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Kirsten True has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/906ae8a4ea35a2869b0242f79fc29df60611a103.jpg?d=70x70)Emma purchased [1 Hungarian oak](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7947) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/3d41f6a299752e5656ee2e0486ee9bbc66a4d8d4.jpg?d=70x70)Pamela gave away [1 Aspen](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7785) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/738ec0d3eb00819acddd92919cb2bb44c1f43553.jpeg?d=70x70)Foziana gave away [1 Chestnut](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7623) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/756e474aa3a5c5c64e8500ea905e102f15c9ed6a.png?d=70x70)Amy gave away [1 Red Cedar](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7604) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/756e474aa3a5c5c64e8500ea905e102f15c9ed6a.png?d=70x70)Amy gave away [1 Red Cedar](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7604) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/738ec0d3eb00819acddd92919cb2bb44c1f43553.jpeg?d=70x70)Nathalie gave away [1 Chestnut](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7623) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/77bf71ca9c6ce899d41551b1353e2df049fc54c0.jpg?d=70x70)Yannick helped preserve 8.01 m² of the [m2 of biodiversity in Thisted forest ](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/3576) project in Thisted Forest (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/05/025e16b1084fc6e6b96429cb736f094c8a626452.png?d=70x70)Tom gave away [1 Small Danish forest bundle bundle](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7698) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/756e474aa3a5c5c64e8500ea905e102f15c9ed6a.png?d=70x70)Jonas purchased [3 Red Cedars](http://172.31.18.199/en/article/7604) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ### Added. 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