A Whole Branch Of A Species To Ourselves...

IAN PARSONS reveals that Devon is home to its own native tree – with a quirky explanation for how it got its name

- Ian Parsons

DEVON’S BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE has long been celebrated, however many people don’t realise that in that countryside is something really special indeed. Something unique. Devon has its very own trees, found nowhere else in the world. Now that really is something to celebrate.

Whitebeams are a family of trees that are found throughout Europe and Asia. Some species are widespread, but others are very restricted in their range. How many of us in Devon are aware that there is a tree called the Devon Whitebeam – or, to give it its Latin name, Sorbus devoniensis? Found in two main areas of Devon this tree occurs in very small numbers in our neighbouring counties of Somerset and Cornwall as well as a few individuals, presumably spread by birds, in south east Ireland. It is found nowhere else in the world, yet in parts of Devon it is relatively common, with one area near Teignmouth having over 400 of them growing in close proximity to one another.