Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis) is a slow growing tree, spread nearly all over Europe. Rarely found, this tree grows scatterdly in light forests among deciduous trees. The wood of service trees is very hard and dense, of the finest quality and has been traditionally used for measuring and drawing tools, machine parts and musical instruments due to the fact of being dimensionally very stable after drying. Carpenters and wood turners appreciate this wood very much for its beautiful silky appearance and superior working properties.
The wood of wild service trees has naturally a bright creamy grayish to yellow colour, after being steamed the woods colour turns into a warm reddish to brown tone. False heartwood occurs in some service trees, these logs shows a very dark brown to nearly black center, often in connection to curly figure: this gives the wood even more attractivity.