Mountainash, Korean

Description:

Korean mountainash, also known as Rowan, is a medium-sized tree with rich green foliage. This mountainash celebrates spring with clusters of fresh white flowers, which are followed by reddish berries. These berries are mildly toxic raw, but perfectly edible when frozen or cooked; although edible does not necessarily mean delicious. Depending on the variety and when you pick them, they range from mouth-puckering bitter to mostly sweet with a bitter tang. Birds seem to relish the flavor anyhow, and rumor has it that tipsy birds can been seen crashing into windows after eating berries that have fermented on the tree. In the fall, the lush foliage changes to an excellent golden yellow, contrasting nicely with the smooth gray bark. The general shape of the tree is pyramidal when young, rounding out as it grows older.
Although the Korean mountainash is a relatively adaptable tree, it does not handle urban environments well. It prefers full sun in a cool climate, and would do well in lawns and gardens. Because of its many ornamental characteristics, it also makes a great speciman tree. All considered, the Korean mountainash is a little-known treasure that deserves a place in more landscapes across the country.