Three new tree species discovered at Cheddar Gorge

Sorbus cheddarensis, newly discovered whitebeam in Cheddar Gorge. Credit Libby Houston

December 2009. Three new species of whitebeam tree have been discovered by scientists at Cheddar Gorge in Somerset. Eight species of whitebeam were recorded including the three new species. This was the first time that the Cheddar Gorge, a rich botanical site, had been surveyed specifically for whitebeams.

Surveys of the gorge are difficult because of its steep and hazardous cliffs, in places up to 120 metres high (equivalent to a 40-storey building).

Mark Courtiour, National Trust Somerset Countryside Manager, said: "We always wondered what whitebeam rarities might be lurking in the gorge as it's such a stunning place for wildlife. This important survey work will help with our management of the site now we know what we have and where they can be found."

Avon Gorge, Wye Valley & Leigh Woods are Whitebeam hotspots
Cheddar is a nationally important site for whitebeams along with other locations such as the Avon Gorge in Bristol, the Wye Valley, Craig-y-Cilau in the Brecon Beacons and the north Devon-Somerset coast.

Two other National Trust sites - Watersmeet in north Devon and Leigh Woods in Bristol - were also found to be whitebeam hotspots including species unique to those sites.

Relative of apples and pears
Whitebeams belong to the Sorbus family, a relative of apples and pears, and there are now over 30 known species in the UK. The name is derived from the old English ‘beam' meaning tree, and the white refers to the underside of the leaves which are covered in fine white hairs. They have small red fruits that look like miniature apples.

DNA tests
Scientists took samples from the trees and used DNA techniques to identify them as new species. Sat nav (GPS) technology was also used to record the precise locations of these rarities, helping to relocate them in the future.

Dr Tim Rich, Head of Vascular Plants at the Welsh National Herbarium, said: "These discoveries show that we're still learning about the natural world and finding new species of plants in the UK. Cheddar is a very special place."
Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the UK and the land at this well known tourist spot is managed by the National Trust and Longleat Estate.

The three new species of whitebeam are:

• Cheddar whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis) - with oval shaped leaves this tree can grow to at least seven metres high. At least nineteen of these trees were found.
• Twin cliffs whitebeam (Sorbus eminentoides) - with roundish leaves these trees can grow to around nine metres with greyish brown bark. Fifteen of these trees were recorded.
• Gough's Rock whitebeam (Sorbus rupicoloides) - with long narrow leaves these trees grow up to seven metres. Thirteen of these trees were found here.

Hugh Cornwell, Director of Cheddar Caves and Gorge, said: "This important research, along with other botanical surveys and our dormouse, Greater Horseshoe bat and Great Crested newt surveys, demonstrates the rich biodiversity in the Gorge and adds to the story of natural history which our visitors find so fascinating."