Sorbus aucuparia as "Thor's protection". In English folklore, twigs of "S. aucuparia" were believed to ward off evil spirits and witches. The plant was called "the witch" in England and dowsing rods to find ores were made out of its wood. Twigs of "S. aucuparia" were used to drive cattle to the pasture for the first time in spring to ensure their health and fertility. The wooden shafts of forks and other farm implements were constructed from "S. aucuparia", to protect farm animals and production from witches' spells. In weather lore, a year with plentiful rowan fruit would have a good grain
Sorbus aucuparia larger forest trees. In Central Europe it often grows in association with red elderberry, goat willow, Eurasian aspen, and silver birch. The plant is highly flammable and tends not to accumulate plant litter. Other species of the genus "Sorbus" easily hybridize with "S. aucuparia" and hybrid speciation can result; hybrids include "Sorbus × hybrida", a small tree with oval serrated leaves and 2 to 3 pairs of leaflets, which is a hybrid with "Sorbus × intermedia", and "Sorbus thuringiaca", a medium-size tree with elongated leaves and 1 to 3 pairs of leaflets that are sometimes fused at the central vein,