The New Tree on the Block – Wild Service

Wild service tree (Torminalis glaberrima) is a rare species to see in the UK’s forests, but this beautiful tree was once much more commonplace, and we think it will play a valuable role in diversification of woodlands in the future. The species is well suited to predicted future climates being drought tolerant and afflicted by few known pests and diseases.

The species has high biodiversity value. Its fruits, known as chequers, are consumed by many native birds including jays and redwings. The white flowers are also very good for biodiversity, and attract a wide variety of insects in spring. Its wood is sought after for veneer and fetches high prices.

Funded through the Forestry Commission seed sourcing grant, we have begun a tree improvement programme for wild service tree. This is an ambitious three-year project which seeks to identify at least fifty plus trees from across the country. We will include some material from the near continent, selected from European provenance trials that were established by the University of Sweden (SLU) in 2019 and are growing well.

Researcher James Macintyre measuring Wild service trees at a seed source trial in Dorset.

As we have not worked on this species before, while we select plus trees, we will also conduct a propagation pilot to find the best means of reproducing this material.

Other species of Sorbus, a genus closely related to Torminalis, graft readily so we will conduct a small test to see is this is the case with wild service.

We are partnering with the University of Nottingham to investigate techniques for rooting tree cuttings, which remains challenging. Establishing trees on their own roots rather than rootstock can lead to better long-term performance.. As part of that project, they will trial some wild service material for us. Whichever method produces the best results will follow through to propagating our selected plus trees to establish a genetically diverse clonal seed orchard for this rare species, ensuring an easily harvested high quality seed crop.

Wild service cuttings