What does a rowan tree look like in autumn? How to care for it.

A wide variety of plants can be seen in parks, gardens, and forests. In autumn, their foliage turns yellow and red, looking as if tiny lights have been lit. Ripe fruit only adds to the picture. In late autumn, rowan trees produce berries rich in beneficial microelements and vitamins. The tree is easy to grow: it requires little care and is frost-resistant.

Plant characteristics

Botanists classify rowan as a frost-hardy deciduous shrub. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its growing range is vast, from the central Russian region to the far north. The tree can be planted in any soil: it thrives in sand, clay, black soil, and rocky soil.

Both autumn and winter rowan trees have a striking appearance. In late October, the leaves turn yellow, and the berries ripen, turning red. However, there are also varieties with white, orange, and scarlet berries. Plant heights range from 80 cm (shrubs) to 1.5 m. The record-holder is the common rowan, reaching 10 m.

Well-developed roots extend deep into the soil, where they reach groundwater. Therefore, the plant doesn't require frequent watering; it draws its vital energy from the earth's depths. Straight branches extend from the dense, resilient trunk. With age, these branches droop slightly and acquire a gray-red hue.

The berries appear in summer and early fall. In winter, they lose their bitterness and ripen completely. They accumulate numerous vitamins, and their flavor becomes sweet. Rowan was revered by ancient Scandinavian tribes. It was considered a male tree, capable of protecting against witchcraft and military enemies. The berries were used in cooking to make jelly, sauces, jam, and wine.

Crown condition

Biologists note that rowan trees can have different types of leaves: compound and simple. The type of plant depends on their structure:

• whole-leaf;
• real.

The common rowan tree has pinnate leaves that form an openwork crown. Solid-leaved trees can have lobed, serrated, or simple leaves. True shrubs are more valuable, as they bear edible, bittersweet fruits. Regardless of leaf shape, the wood is used to make furniture, and the tree itself is used to decorate gardens and parks. Low-growing shrubs look beautiful individually or in group arrangements or avenues.

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In spring, the buds are just beginning to open, and the leaves are fully unfurled. These are used to identify the rowan variety. Several large, pinnate elements appear on a single stem, with the smallest, unpaired shoot at the apex. The unpaired compound leaves reach 12 cm in length, with serrated edges and pointed tips. The end of the slender stem is studded with small, solid-bottomed elements.

In late spring, a noticeable downy hair appears on the branches, covering both sides of the leaves. By summer, it disappears, leaving only the firm, flexible parts. The hairs are essential to the plant's ability to retain moisture longer. In June and July, the upper side of the leaf becomes dull green, matte, and rough. The underside is covered with a silvery-white coating, reminiscent of felt to the touch.

In late autumn, rowan leaves change color three times. In September, they turn bright yellow, gradually shifting to a muted orange. By late October, the palette turns crimson and scarlet.

Varieties by leaves

There are several solid-leaf plants that deserve special attention. They differ in the shape and size of their leaves, inflorescences, color, and ripening time of their fruits. Unusual varieties rowan:

• Aria;
• Intermediate;
• Elder-leaved;
• Kene;
• Glogovina;
• Alder-leaved.

The unusual rowan tree, Aria, grows in the sparse forests of Western Europe. It reaches 10 meters in height, with a crown diameter of 8 meters. Its leaves resemble those of alder—solid, round, and pointed at the tip. The shoot measures 15 x 10 cm. In summer, it is green, with a whitish underside, as if dusted with flour. In early autumn, the rowan tree appears as if covered in bronze paint.

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The intermediate or Swedish variety is represented by solitary, tall trees (up to 12 m). It is native to Scandinavian, Baltic, and Central European forests. In summer, the leaves of this rowan are green and covered with hairs, and in autumn they acquire a red tint. The broad crown is circular or oval.

The elderberry tree can be found in the Khabarovsk Krai, Sakhalin, Kamchatka, and even Japan. The plant resembles a shrub: its maximum height does not reach 2.5 meters, with a small ovoid crown and brownish-green leaves. The shoots are unpaired, with pointed tips, and reach a length of 18 cm. A single petiole can bear 7 to 15 leaves.

The Kene rowan is native to central China. It prefers a warm climate, plenty of moisture, and soft soil. Its decorative crown rises 3-6 meters above the ground. The odd-pinnate leaves turn crimson in the fall, and the white fruits ripen in early winter.

The medicinal rowan, or Glogovina rowan, is found in Crimea and the Caucasus. These tall, 25-meter-tall trees are distinguished by their olive-colored, heart-shaped leaves. In summer, they are dark green and covered with hairs, and in autumn, they turn yellow and orange.

Varieties by fruit

Botanists have developed several interesting cultivars from the common rowan tree. They differ in trunk height, crown size, and fruit ripening speed. The following varieties are frost-resistant:

• Bead;
• Large scarlet;
• Titanium;
• Dessert;
• Michurinskaya;
• Liqueur.

The Businka is a low-growing plant with red berries. The first berries appear 4-5 years after planting; they taste like cranberries. The Large Scarlet Rowan produces berries sooner, but they are tart and slightly bitter. The Titan ripens annually; the bush itself is low-growing. The berries are dark red, covered with a whitish bloom.

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This dessert variety requires constant fertilization, otherwise the rowan will become small. The fruits ripen annually; the dark, juicy berries have a tart flavor.

Yellow and white berries can grow in gardens. Although these varieties are rare, they produce a high yield. The branches are so laden with fruit that they bend almost to the ground. The berries are juicy and sweet, suitable for making jam, liqueur, and syrup. Besides their practical value, rowan is used as a vibrant garden decoration.

Planting rowan

Best start planting rowan trees in autumnIf you can't graft a seedling in October, you can plant it in early spring—mid-April. To do this, dig a hole 80 cm deep and 60 cm wide, respectively. Although rowan is undemanding to climate conditions, it's best to fertilize the soil. Fertilize with a mixture of 100 g of potassium, 200 g of superphosphate, and 5 kg of humus or peat.

The seedling is lowered into the hole, and the soil around it is compacted. During cold weather, it is insulated with pine branches and shoots. A suitable location for the plant is a strip along a fence. The distance between the trunks should be 4-5 meters. After planting, the seedling is watered generously.

Rowan trees are propagated by grafting, using hawthorn or similar trees. Dormant cuttings or buds are grafted in October-November, and budding should be done in June. The young shoots will receive moisture and nutrients from the mother tree, as rowan trees have a very strong root system.

You can propagate the plant by seed; this method is simpler than the previous one. Sow the seeds in open ground in the fall. 150 seeds per linear meter are sufficient. Cover the soil with dry leaves and spruce needles. The seeds germinate very quickly, but bear fruit later.

Care instructions

Rowan is easy to care for. But there are procedures, which must be followed:

• periodic watering;
• pruning branches to shape the crown;
• loosening the soil;
• control of diseases and pests.

After planting the seedling in the ground, trim its crown, and in the spring, any newly formed branches are also shortened. Some will need to be removed down to the first bud. Mature rowan trees need to be thinned out, removing old and inner shoots, as well as any shoots without fruit. This work should be done in late October or March.

Adults need to be fertilized and fedThis only applies to fruit-bearing plants. Along with water, rowan trees are watered with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium complexes. It is also necessary treat it for pestsThe tree is susceptible to diseases such as rust, all types of necrosis, gray spot, and powdery mildew. To prevent infection, seedlings and mature plants should be sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.

Plant characteristics, leaf shape, fruit varieties, planting rules, and care recommendations—all of this is included in the description of the rowan tree. In the fall, the tree can be pruned, its seeds and berries harvested, and replanted. The shrub's fruits are used to make jam, compotes, and homemade alcohol; they contain many beneficial elements and vitamin complexes. Furthermore, the branches bearing the berries will decorate the autumn garden.