Torminalis

Torminalis glaberrima is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to about 30 m (100 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 1.3 m in diameter. The bark is smooth and grey when young, becoming scaly and flaking away in squarish plates to reveal darker brown layers when about 30 years old. Young twigs are lightly hairy, quickly becoming glabrous, and brownish in colour. Winter identification is made easier by the buds, which are green and pea-sized with obvious brown-edged scales. The leaves are long and broad with a petiole, dark green on both sides, with five to nine acute lobes; the basal pair of lobes are spreading, the rest more forward-pointing and decreasing in size to the leaf apex, and with finely toothed margins; the undersides have small hairs when young, but both sides are smooth and shiny when older; the autumn colour is yellow to red-brown. The flowers are in diameter, with five white petals and 20 creamy-white stamens; they are produced in corymbs diameter in late spring to early summer, and are hermaphroditic and insect pollinated. The fruit is a globose to ovoid pome 10–15 mm in diameter, greenish to russet or brown, patterned with small pale lenticel spots when mature in mid to late autumn. ==Taxonomy==

Wild Service-tree was first named by Linnaeus as Crataegus torminalis in Species Plantarum in 1753, but of course it was known long before that. Pre-Linnean polynomials include Crataegus foliis cordatis acutis: lacinulis acutis serratis, "the hawthorn with sharp cordate leaves [and] sharp serrated lobes", from Hortus Cliffortianus, 1737, and Mespilus, apii folio, sylvestris non spinosa "the spineless mespil of the woods, with celery leaves", from Bauhin's Pinax Theatri Botanici, 1623. Which genus the wild service-tree should be placed in has been a matter of debate for centuries. Apart from Linnaeus's original Crataegus, it has been placed in Pyrus, Malus, Mespilus, Torminaria and various other genera over the years. Until recently it was commonly known as Sorbus torminalis but since about 2010 it has become increasingly apparent from genetic studies that it is not very closely related to the pinnate-leaved plants in that genus. The currently accepted name was published in 2017 and is endorsed by more recent studies. However, there is still some uncertainty about whether it should be in a genus on its own or combined with some other closely related plants. There are two varieties: A number of often very localised stable apomictic polyploid species of ultimately hybrid origin between Sorbus torminalis and various species in the genus Aria occur in Europe, including Sorbus latifolia (service tree of Fontainebleau), and S. bristoliensis (Bristol whitebeam). In Anglo-Saxon, *kurmi became syrfe, either by re-importation from Vulgar Latin or directly from the Celtic, and has since morphed into a variety of forms, including "Surrey". Another English common name is "chequers (or checkers) tree", for which a variety of origins have been proposed. Some authors have suggested that the pattern of dots on the fruits, or the appearance of the bark, is similar to that of a checkers board or a pub sign; but it could simply be that "chequers" and "chokers" are more evolutions of the original cervesa. ==Distribution and habitat==

It is found from Great Britain (England and Wales) east to Denmark and Poland, south to northwest Africa, and southeast to southwest Asia from Asia Minor to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains. The wild service tree favours deep fertile soils, but can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, from chalky, superficial, dry soils to temporarily waterlogged soils, often found alongside the true service tree. It can adapt to a variety of climatic conditions, but occurs most often in lowlands. Wild service tree is a light-demanding species, often out-competed by other hardwood species. It is relatively rare and in Britain is now usually confined to pockets of ancient woodland, although it can also be found growing in hedgerows. It can often be found associated with oak and ash woods. In Britain, summer temperatures are often too low for the seeds to ripen, so its principal method of propagation is by suckers. ==Ecology==

The fruits are eaten by many birds and a few mammals, making the tree ecologically important. ==Uses==

The wild service tree is one of the most valuable hardwoods in Europe. The wood is fine-grained, very dense and has good bending strength. It was used in the past to make screws for winepresses, billiard cue sticks, musical instruments and turnery. Today, it is usually only used for decorative veneers. The fruit, sometimes called "chequers", are edible and taste similar to dates, although they are now rarely collected for food. They are usually too astringent to eat until they are over-ripe and bletted. They were traditionally known as a herbal remedy for colic. Before the introduction of hops, the fruit were used to flavour beer. ==Gallery==

Sorbus torminalis Trunk and canopy.jpg|Trunk and leaf canopy Sorbus torminalis 190513.jpg|Flowers ElsbeerFrucht.jpeg|Foliage and fruit Sorbus torminalis Weinsberg 20070929 5.jpg|Ripe fruit Sorbus torminalis Weinsberg 20070929 8.jpg|Autumn leaf colour == References ==