Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp)

This is a small deciduous tree that has a lot of different common names that are fun to explore. The first common name is common Serviceberry. The origins of this name date back to 19^th century New England. In April, the common Serviceberry would bloom at the same time when roads would thaw after a long winter and be passable and allow rural residents to attend church services. This was especially true for Easter services. Also, in Spring, residents would be able to dig graves to bury the dead departed in the Winter. Serviceberry blooms would be used for funeral services.

Another common name for Amelanchier is Shadbush. Typically, the blooms occur in April the same time as the shad fish migrate upstream from the Atlantic Ocean to spawn. And yet, another common name is Juneberry referring to the approximate time the berries would be ready for eating.

There are 13 – 20 types of Serviceberry throughout North America. To differentiate between types is difficult especially since they like to hybridize with each other. They even can be found as north as James Bay. Truly a hardy tree that has tremendous ecological value.

First of all, one important feature of this tree is the bloom time. Because it blooms so early in April bees and butterflies are attracted to these flowers. The massive amounts of white blooms are critical for early emergent pollinators that have survived a long hungry winter. These flowers offer the first real feast of nectar and pollination experts have rated Serviceberry as, ‘ special value to native bees ‘. Later in the season, the leaves are food for the caterpillars of tiger swallowtails, viceroy, admirals, red-spotted purple, and striped hairstreaks butterflies.

I call the Serviceberry a dual purpose tree because it is also of great importance to wildlife, especially birds. The fruit that ripens in June is a tremendous food source for birds. In fact, it has been documented that 50 types of birds will feed on the berries such as orioles, thrushes, woodpeckers, waxwings, goldfinches, robins, blue jays, cardinals, and catbirds. The sugar content of the berries is 20% higher in sugar compared to blueberries and raspberries. This provides more energy to growing chicks on the nest. Even black bears, moose, deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks line up to eat the tasty fruit. Beaver will munch on the bark.

These trees are classified as early successional trees developing colonies at the edges of woods and slopes and stream banks. They love full to partial shade as an understory, edge tree. They will tolerate a wide range of soils and moisture levels from moist to dry but they must have well drained sites. No standing water. A great candidate for urban plantings since they are tolerant of air pollution and do well in windbreaks and roadside plantings.

Will you consider planting Amelanchier? A win-win scenario for both us and wildlife.