Identifying Whitebeams

Learn about whitebeams, rowans and service trees, including how to identify different species and distinguish natives from non-natives.

Whitebeams are a diverse group of trees in the genus Sorbus that are small to medium in size. Alongside the familiar rowans and service trees (also in the genus Sorbus), there are an additional 50 or so species occurring in the British Isles – of which 43 are native and around 30 of which are endemic!

In this webinar, James Harding-Morris will provide an overview of the diversity and identification of both native (non-endemic) and non-native species of whitebeams, rowans and service trees in the UK and Ireland. The following species will be covered:

• Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
• Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
• Service Tree (Sorbus domestica)
• Rock Whitebeam (Sorbus rupicola)
• Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia)
• Broad-leaved Whitebeam (Sorbus latifolia)
• Sharp-toothed Whitebeam (Sorbus sellii)
• Orange Whitebeam (Sorbus croceocarpa)
• German Service-tree (Sorbus aria × aucuparia = S. × ⁠thuringiaca)

Whether you’re a botanist, conservation practitioner, student or arborist, this session will provide you with the skills to start identifying the UK and Ireland’s whitebeams. You'll also gain insights into the whitebeams' ancestry, the widespread and rare species, the sites where whitebeam diversity thrives, and the remarkable stories of the archipelago’s most unique and vulnerable trees.

Please note that the endemic species of whitebeam will be covered in a specific focused follow up webinar:

• Endemic Whitebeams of the UK and Ireland (13 Oct 2026)

The 90-minute event will consist of a 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A with the tutor using questions provided by the live audience.

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked alongside Q&A transcripts and relevant links following the event via a password-protected website.

Endemics Specialist: James Harding-Morris

James Harding-Morris is the author of Endemic: Exploring the wildlife unique to Britain and a passionate nature enthusiast with a lifelong love for exploring the natural world. Whether trekking up mountains in search of rare flowers, scouring fens for elusive moths, or investigating exotic invertebrates in hothouses, James's fascination with wildlife is unwavering.

In his professional life, James specialises in communications and public engagement within the conservation sector. He has played a key role in delivering high-impact campaigns such as the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch and the BSBI's New Year Plant Hunt. His work on the Back from the Brink project has inspired many to care deeply about some of England's rarest and most obscure species. Currently, James is on a mission to ensure that everyone in Britain and Ireland has the opportunity to fall in love with plants through his work with the BSBI.

Skills For Ecology Webinars

Our Skill For Ecology webinars focus on technical skills useful in ecology and conservation roles, such as use of technology, field surveying and practical conservation skills.

This webinar is part of our Endemics Series. See also:

• Endemic Vertebrates of the UK and Ireland (16 Apr 2026)
• Endemic Plants of the UK and Ireland (05 May 2026)
• Endemic Whitebeams of the UK and Ireland (13 Oct 2026)