Plant/Tree of the Month
May 2003

Serviceberry or Juneberry

The genus Amelanchier (common names Serviceberry or Juneberry) is a group with many members. Fifteen to twenty species grow wild in Michigan alone. The most commonly found species in the nursery trade isAmelanchier canadensis.

Serviceberry comes most commonly in a multistemmed form (like lilacs) but is also available as a single stemmed small tree. It has no specific problematic insect or disease problems and its relatively small size (20 to 25') makes the single stemmed form a highly desirable urban/street tree being less likely to grow into power lines.

It has an abundance of small white flowers in April which put on a pleasant but short lived shoe as flowers are retained a week or less. Then leaves 1.5 to 2.5" leaves emerge covering the crown as the small blueberry sized fruit grow. The reddish purple berries ripen in mid June in Ohio (earlier to the South and later , July 1- 15 in Michigan.

The fruit are very edible if somewhat seedy and are a great wildlife draw. Often a bush bearing ripe berries will attract a flock of Cedar Waxwings who will gorge on the fruit. In the last 13 years we have planted 16 specimens. Three of these are at the Gault Alumni Center. Resident squirrels adopt these shrubs when the fruit is ripe and become territorial, defending "their " shrub against intruders. Braving the defenders I have picked a colander full for my own consumption. A bowl of ripe fresh washed Juneberries with milk and sugar is one of lifes great treats.

The serviceberry's brilliant fall foliage provides a good show with a mix of yellow , orange and red colors. All these characteristics add up to a high recommendation for a large shrub addition to a residential landscape.

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