Tree of the month: November 2023 - Whitebeam

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The native Whitebeam is seldom found in the wild but there are several species grown for ornamental planting, especially the Swedish Whitebeam common on Parkwood Springs. Related to the Rowan, the Whitebeam is a tough, easy-to-grow tree whose leaves and berries often linger on into early winter. A small, domed tree that grows up to 15 metres and lives to about 50 years, with dense clusters of white 5-petalled flowers in spring, deep red berries in autumn, and deep-green, glossy leaves it is easy to see why it is so popular for planting along our streets and in our parks. In some parts of the country Whitebeam goes by the name ‘Chess Apple Tree’.

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​The Whitebeam gets its name from the Anglo-Saxon - beam meaning wood and white from the thick white felting of hairs on the back of the leaves. These hairs give it a silvery appearance, especially in spring or when the breeze moves its branches. The white hairs also help explain its widespread planting - the hairs both conserve moisture and help the tree grow well in areas of high pollution, such as roadsides, carparks and industrial estates.

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​Wildlife value of Whitebeam: The mass of Whitebeam flowers in spring are an important source of food for many pollinators while the berries, which stay on the tree until early winter, are food for deer, small mammals and many birds.

The leaves are home to several invertebrates, including the larvae of the Hawthorn Red Midget and the Short-cloaked Moth, several Butterfly caterpillars and leaf-miners.

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​Human uses of the Whitebeam: The density and longevity of the wood led to it being used to make frictionresistant machine parts before the common use of iron, including wheels, and cogs. More recently it is valued for wood-turning, axe handles and furnituremaking.

The fruit is fairly tart and can be eaten raw or made into a jelly or juice. The seeds are rich in fats.

In Germany the Whitebeam is known as Mehlberre - ‘meal-berry’ - and the fruit was ground for use as a substitute for grain or flour when grain harvests were poor. The dried fruit was also used as a substitute for raisins.

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​Medicinal Use: As well as a food source the Whitebeam has been used in traditional medicines. An antioxidant, it was used to treat kidney disorders and constipation among other conditions. It is the subject of ongoing phytochemical research.

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​Symbolism and mythology of the Whitebeam: Due to the resilience of the Whitebeam it symbolised strength, endurance and tenacity, especially in Sweden.

The Anglo-Saxons used it as a boundary marker in hedgerows. It was also seen as magical, with staffs and wands from the Whitebeam used to conjure spells.

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​The Whitebeam in literature:
The felted, white hairs of the undersides on the leaves inspired one of our greatest Victorian poets, Gerard Manley Hopkins (b. 1844).
In “The Starlight Night” he writes:
“Look at the stars! Look, look up at the skies!
O look at all the fire-folk sitting in the air!
The bright boroughs, the circle-citadels there!
Down in dim woods the diamond delves, the elves’ eyes!
The grey lawns cold where gold, where quick-gold lies!
Wind-beat Whitebeam!”

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​Another Victorian poet and novelist, George Meredith, (b1828), in “Love in the Valley” referenced this silver-white colouring, especially obvious in young leaves, writing: “Flashing as in gusts, the sudden-lighted whitebeam”.

Richard Mabey, in his wonderful book “Flora Britannica”, thinks that John Evelyn, writing of the Service tree in 1670, may actually have been writing of the Whitebeam which didn’t get this name until the 18th century. Evelyn wrote: “The Service gives the Husbandman an early presage of the approaching spring, by extending his adorned Buds for a peculiar entertainment, and dares peep out in the severest Winters”. The tree was often known as the Service tree in the past.