Back in 2019 – remember that time? – I was given a sapling of a rare tree: a Wild Service Tree, Sorbus torminalis. They are native to Britain, and not common, but they have a stronghold here in Sussex and I was pleased to have this little tree which had been grown from seed by an acquaintance of mine who also had an interest in our local landscape. They do not germinate easily so that has probably contributed to their decline, plus shuteye are quite picky about their growing conditions. I was also given a wild hop, which has the rather lovely Latin name of Humulus lupulus, and that is currently triffiding its way over the back fence to provide lots of aphids for ladybirds, regular birds, ants, and all manner of other aphid-lovers.
My friend planted the wild service tree in his woodland area behind his property during lockdown while his son was at home with him, and we have been keeping an eye on it ever since. Thankfully the roe deer haven’t chomped it down to a stump, and it has matured into a lovely tree; this year it has flowers for the first time. Here it is, when planted in April 2020, and again in June 2024, and now, in May 2026.
The flowers are great for pollinators, and the fruits, known as chequers, are adored by Wood Pigeons and other birds. The leaves are the food plant for the caterpillars of a couple of moth species. All the Chequers references in houses and pubs around the region are likely harking back to a time when these trees were common, and the fruits were even sold at markets. Like medlars, they need to be ‘bletted’ to be edible for humans, but once they are suitably ripe, they apparently taste like dates. Watch this space…
I realise it’s only one tree, but I am really pleased it seems so happy in its space, and it will hopefully continue to mature. It needs hot summers for its fruit to become viable, but perhaps with the way our weather is going, that might not be such a stretch. Wild Service Trees are ancient woodland indicators so I wonder if there are any more around here, so that cross-pollination can occur?
Meanwhile my baby oak trees are growing well, so I need to find a place to plant them once it starts raining again!
