Rowan has flourished in Icelandic woods, gardens and folklore for centuries

The rowan tree, Sorbus aucuparia, stands out in Iceland’s mixed woodlands and gardens alike. Tall yet graceful, it has a slender trunk, loose rounded crown and feathery leaves arranged along a central stem, each leaf divided into small serrated leaflets. From late spring into early summer, creamy-white blossoms appear in dense clusters, giving way by autumn to vivid orange or scarlet berries. These small, round fruits form part of the food supply for birds, and have also contributed to folk traditions and practical uses among Icelanders.

Wild and cultivated across Iceland

Ilmreynir, as the rowan is known in Icelandic, is found scattered among native birch woods, as well as in parks and private gardens. While wild rowan appears throughout the countryside, trees of Scandinavian origin are also cultivated. The species has adapted to Iceland’s demanding environment, where it typically reaches 10–14 metres in height and is often multi-trunked. Since its introduction to Icelandic gardens in 1824, rowan has become one of the most common ornamental trees, valued for its resilience against wind, frost and soil variations.

Several locally sourced varieties have been prominent in Icelandic horticulture. Trees from areas such as Nauthúsagil under Eyjafjöll, Skaftafell, Núpsstaður and Skriða in Hörgárdalur all form part of the country’s cultivated legacy. An individual ilmreynir planted in Öræfasveit in 1923 was even selected as Tree of the Year in 2015, highlighting the rowan’s storied presence in Icelandic life.

Rowan’s place in tradition and utility

Much more than a decorative presence, rowan has served varied purposes in Iceland. Its tough, flexible wood, reddish white to brown with a fine grain, has traditionally been carved for household objects or used as firewood, although beliefs surrounding the tree sometimes limited its cutting. The berries are notably tart, but have formed the basis for preserves such as jams. Certain cultivated varieties, first bred in 19th-century mainland Europe, produce larger and sweeter berries, while in Russia and elsewhere, rowan has been hybridised with other fruit trees in the quest for hardier types.

Iceland’s rowan trees also support a quiet ecosystem. Their smooth grey bark serves as a substrate for lichens, and at least 14 species of fungi have been recorded growing on Icelandic rowan, from bark fungi to species that can cause disease. This quiet interaction between tree and micro-organisms forms part of the rowan’s distinctive ecological role.

Whether standing alone in the harsh uplands, flourishing in garden groves or celebrated in local lore, Sorbus aucuparia continues to anchor the shifting rhythms of Iceland’s natural and cultural landscapes.

TopicsIcelandic floraIcelandic gardensIcelandic woodlandsIlmreynirSorbus aucuparia