The service tree is one of the rarest and most attractive tree species in Germany. Whoever plants it thus contributes to the conservation of the species.
The plant has been cultivated for more than a thousand years. It was once indispensable in the villages and on the farms. In Germany, the heat-loving plant is mainly found in wine-growing regions. The rose family comes from the same family as the mountain ash. In our latitudes, the trees can grow up to 20 meters high and form expansive crowns. The service tree has many names that indicate its earlier fame:
- Spierbaum
- Poor Pear
- Spyhawk Tree
- Spitapple
- Spierling
- Sperbelbaum
The service tree - rare guest in the home garden
A few decades ago, the Sperber tree was threatened with extinction in Germany. Extensive breeding measures were therefore taken in the 1980s. In 1993 the service tree was voted tree of the year.
Since the plants are still extremely rare in domestic gardens, ensure the continued existence of the species and give your offspring a chance to see the yellow-red fruits and the pretty autumn colors. After all, service trees can live more than 150 years.
But be careful: the service tree is easily confused with the related mountain ash. While the rowanberry has hairy, black-brown buds, the sparrow has hairless, greenish-brown and slightly sticky buds.
Where to buy service trees?
Since a service tree cannot be compared with a conventional apple or pear tree and is not offered in every plant market, tree nurseries specializing in growing them are the right people to contact. If the seed comes from vital mother plants, which have been tested for their suitability for breeding, you have the advantage that you will receive strong plants that are easy to cultivate and grow well. It is generally advisable to buy strong container plants. Eventually, older trees with strong root balls grow far better than small and weak seedlings thatare also frequently affected by fungal diseases.
Select the right location
The preferred climatic conditions for the service tree prevail in wine-growing regions. The first basic rule for planting is: service trees need a lot of space. As a solitary plant, the sporapple can grow up to 20 meters high. If you don't want a spreading crown, but want to use the tree specifically for fruit production in the kitchen garden, pruning measures will be necessary and it makes sense to buy grafted plants.
The plants also need a lot of light, warmth and space. Nevertheless, the trees will grow quite slowly and can therefore also establish themselves as fruit trees in small gardens over several years. Older plants, on the other hand, are difficult to transplant. You should definitely consider this when choosing a location.
Consider the soil quality
Speierlinge need nutrient-rich soil. For example, they tolerate warm and dry soils with a high lime content very well. Sandy soils and a heavy and moist substrate are not recommended. Young plants in particular are sensitive to waterlogging. You can avoid this by creating drainage directly when planting.
Since the tree has been cultivated for thousands of years, the natural distribution area cannot be precisely determined, but at best can be roughly circled. The plant is mainly found in the following regions:
- Balkans
- Crimea Peninsula
- Eastern Spain
- Asia Minor
In Germany, the south-western area has the best site conditions. Natural stocks of around 2,500 specimens can be found in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. For example in the Moselle valley, Neckar valley and Rhine valley as well as in Lower Franconia and in the Taunus.
When should service trees be planted?
The ideal planting time for the service tree is autumn. The winter moisture ensures optimal soil contact. The roots will then begin their activity as early as March. If you plant the trees in spring, you have to water and muddy the plants very well.
The correct way to plant service trees:
- Select location.
- Water the root ball.
- Prepare the ground.
- Remove stones and weeds.
- Introduce compost or manure as long-term fertilizer.
- Dig a planting hole three times the size of the root ball.
- Place plant.
- Fill the planting hole with soil.
- Press the bottom well.
- Water the plant sufficiently.
To prevent the young plants from buckling, they should be given a stick to support them.
How to properly care for the young plants
❍ Put on protection against rodents:
Although it is a robust and long-lived tree, the young plants are still quite delicate and susceptible to diseases. The roots are also often the target of mice and other rodents. It is therefore advisable to put on a bite protection. This should be done when planting. Simply place a small, close-meshed wire basket in the excavated planting hole. Above ground, rabbit wire is suitable as protection against bites. You can attach this directly to the support pillar.
❍ Use broad spectrum fungicide against scab:
Young plants are susceptible to scab. The use of a broad spectrum fungicide is therefore advisable in the first few years. Simply treat the buds after they have sprouted with a remedy that is also used against apple scab.
❍ Protect fruits from birds:
Speierlinge grows quite slowly and needs regular watering in the first few years. Older plants, on the other hand, can also tolerate longer periods of drought. Drought-resistant taproots develop over the years. Older plants therefore often do not need any further protective measures. However, the fruits of the service tree are often the target of birds. If you want to use the fruits, you can use a net here.
Planting spies - advantages and disadvantages at a glance
Advantages:
+ The service tree is a rare tree that is sure to attract attention.
+ The fruits can be used and made into fruit brandy, for example.
+ The trees are fast-growing and durable.
Cons:
- The plants need a lot of space. Specimen plants grow up to 20 meters high.
- Regular pruning is necessary to produce fruit.
- The plants should come from renowned tree nurseries.
- Young and weak service trees are susceptible to fungal diseases.