Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

If you’re looking for a piece for your garden or property that adds year-round interest, look no further. Join us to discuss how to plant, grow, and care for the versatile Serviceberry trees.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Amelanchier arborea (downy serviceberry or common serviceberry), is native to eastern North America from the Gulf Coast north to Thunder Bay in Ontario and Lake St. John in Quebec, and west to Texas and Minnesota.

Other common names are “shadberries” (as their blossoming coincides with the shad runs in New England), “Juneberries” (because the berries usually set on in June), and “Service” or “Sarvice” berries because their blooms mean that the muddy back roads into the “coves and hollers” of Appalachia will soon be passable for circuit-riding preachers and the communities will be able to have Sunday services again. (Some say, more morbidly, that it means the ground is soft enough to dig, which means that those who died over winter can be buried and have services said over them.)

Amelanchier arborea is generally 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall. Occasionally, it can grow up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall and reach into the overstory. The trunk can be up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter (rarely to 40 cm or 16 in). The bark is smooth and gray.

The buds are slender with a pointed tip, and usually more than two scales visible. The leaves are ovate or elliptical, 4–8 cm (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄4 in), rarely 10 cm (4 in), long and 2.5–4 cm (1–1+5⁄8 in) wide, with pointed tips and finely serrated margins. A characteristic useful for identification is that the young leaves emerge downy on the underside. The fall color is variable, from orange-yellow to pinkish or reddish.

It has perfect flowers that are 15–25 mm (5⁄8–1 in) in diameter, with 5 petals, emerging during budbreak in early spring. The petals are white. Flowers are produced on pendulous racemes 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) along with 4–10 flowers on each raceme. The flowers are pollinated by bees. The fruit is a reddish-purple poem, resembling a small apple in shape. They ripen in summer and are very popular with birds. The fruit is eaten by over 40 species of birds and various mammals, including squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, mice, voles, foxes, black bears, deer, and elk.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Amelanchier arborea in Hackfalls Arboretum (3) Krzysztof Golik CC BY-SA 4.0

It also commonly hybridizes with other species of Amelanchier, the hybrid Amelanchier × grandiflora being one example, and identification can be very difficult as a result.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Serviceberry trees should receive 4-6 hours of full sun daily but will tolerate partial shade. Their production of flowers, berries, and fall foliage will decrease when grown in partial shade.

Temperature and Humidity

Mild temperatures and humidity levels will be best for serviceberry trees. They perform best in regions where summers and winters are not extreme. Fungal diseases are more prevalent during high humidity.

Watering

Soil should be kept moist. Drip irrigation is highly recommended to deep water the root system, ensuring proper watering and decreasing the risk of foliar diseases that might form in damp leaf tissues. Once mature, serviceberries are fairly drought-resistant and perform well in salty areas.

Soil

Serviceberry trees like loamy, well-draining, aerated, and moist soil. They do not perform well if overwatered and also have trouble when there is standing water. However, they will tolerate clay or sandy soils.

They prefer a soil pH of 5.5-7.0, though they will tolerate higher. Soil test every year to have a baseline and amend accordingly.

Fertilizing

Serviceberries don’t need much fertilizer as they’re not heavy feeders. They usually find what they need in the soil if it’s well cared for and healthy. However, adding a slow-release fertilizer during your annual spring cleanup will encourage healthy new growth and vibrant foliage colors.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Amelanchier arborea 2019-04-16 0719 Salicyna CC BY-SA 4.0

Spacing

Give serviceberries 12-15 feet if planting them next to other trees or large shrubs. If you’re growing a larger variety, spread them out more or prune accordingly to avoid overcrowding. Plant them in a row to create a luscious privacy fence or border wall.

Transplanting

The highest success rates when transplanting will occur in the spring or late fall when serviceberries are dormant. This will decrease the risk of transplant shock.

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, set it in, and surround it with native soil. Tamp it down as you fill the hole, then water it well. If you’re using fertilizer, sprinkle it in now. Mulch to help retain moisture.

If you’re planting bare-root plants widely available from nurseries, make your hole as deep as the roots and a bit wider. Bare-root plants require more irrigation to keep the shallow roots from drying out. Mulch to retain moisture.

Pruning

Serviceberries don’t require much pruning. However, new sprouts near the base of the tree and suckers can make it a bit unruly. Pruning these off and any unhealthy-looking or crossed branches annually to help keep it tidy. Pruning will allow better light penetration and airflow and will encourage new growth. Go for a vase-shaped shrub.

The University of Montana suggests minimally pruning in the first three years, allowing the plant to grow and become established. As flowers form on two to four-year-old wood, your pruning should aim to replace fruiting wood every 3-4 years.

Due to the deep taproot and vigorous root system, you can cut serviceberries down to the ground, and over a few years, new shoots will produce a new version of the tree.

Mulching

Weeds can inhibit the proper growth of serviceberries and compete with their root system when newly transplanted. Mulching four to six inches will help maintain a nice, moist soil and keep weed pressure to a minimum. Do this in the fall or spring after general cleanup and shallow cultivation or at the time of transplant to help maintain moisture.

As with any mulch, do not “volcano mulch” serviceberries. This can create too much moisture around the plant’s base, leading to trunk rot. Leave a gap of at least 4″-6″ between the trunk and the mulch.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Amelanchier arborea 9zz Photo by David J. Stang CC BY-SA 4.0

Propagation

Serviceberries can be propagated by taking stem cuttings, planting suckers, or allowing them to spread their seeds naturally. It’s hard to establish, so many growers recommend purchasing a young tree from your local nursery, leaving the hard part to the experts. However, you can try starting seeds by collecting them from fresh fruit, cleaning them thoroughly, and allowing them to dry.

Practice winter sowing to give them a period of cold stratification and watch them germinate in the spring. Note the seeds will produce a plant that differs from the parent, similar to apples.

Stem Cuttings

Most serviceberry experts will tell you taking cuttings will give you the greatest success at growing a new plant. Stem cuttings should be performed on a healthy tree without disease, dead wood, or unhealthy foliage.

To root cuttings in a milk jug:

  • Cut the top half off and use the bottom as your planting container.
  • Fill it with fresh potting mix with vermiculite or perlite mixed in.
  • When you see new growth in the spring, cut wood that’s at least ¼ inch thick in diameter in the midsection of a shoot. Cut a piece 4-6 inches long with sharp, clean shears or pruners.
  • Remove the foliage from the stem, leaving just a couple at the top.
  • Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it about halfway down into the milk jug.
  • Water it in. Add up to four cuttings per container.

Now, you can replace the top of the milk jug, creating a DIY mini greenhouse. A regular potting container also works; just don’t allow the soil to dry out. Keep temperatures between 60-70°. Finely mist up to three times a week.

Suckers

The new growth near the base of the plant that is mentioned earlier during spring pruning, you can gently separate those from the main plant and repot them in a container or directly in the ground instead of discarding them in the compost pile. Ensure a solid root system before planting. Water them well as they become established.

Natural Seed Spread

Seeds will naturally spread when consumed and dropped elsewhere by animals in nature. The berries will naturally go through cold stratification and germinate independently in the spring. Due to helpful birds and other wildlife, the seeds can spread up to three miles away from their parent tree!

Pests and Diseases

Common Pests

A few minor pests can bother serviceberries, including spider mites and aphids. Control any cosmetic damage by the pear slug sawfly with insecticidal soap. Serviceberries are usually deer-resistant.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) Plant Image Library CC BY-SA 2.0

Here are some pests that can cause issues:

  • Fall Webworm

The fall webworm starts feeding on many species of deciduous trees, including serviceberries, in late summer and early fall and builds its webs among the branches and along the bark. If you’ve ever noticed what looks like giant cobwebs in your trees, it’s likely the work of a fall webworm.

They overwinter in cocoons in crevices of the tree, emerging in the summer as adults when females will lay hundreds of eggs on the backside of leaves. Much damage can be done when these caterpillars hatch, feeding on foliage, building nests, and spinning cocoons. When mature, the caterpillars are 1 1⁄4 inches long, featuring a dark brown stripe down its back and yellow hairs with black polka dots.

Pruning out damage can decrease populations of the worms, but heavy infestations may need to be treated with Bt or spinosad to help control this destructive pest.

  • Gypsy Moth

These two to three-inch-long caterpillars feed on serviceberries, mainly at night, then pupate in a crack or crevice. About two weeks later, moths emerge, and a female moth can lay up to 400 eggs at a time, allowing the cycle to repeat.

The biocontrol fungus Entomophaga maimaiga was brought to Boston from Japan, where it originated in 1910. It was rediscovered in 1989 and can now be used to control larvae. It grows best in hot, humid weather conditions.

  • Roundheaded Appletree Borer

Just ½ to one inch long, these brownish-black beetles lay eggs in tiny slits she makes along the bark for about 40 days. The larvae hatch and tunnel up and down the bark, feeding all the way.

They mature in a few years to a lighter colored, 1- 1 ½ inch long worm, pupating in the plant. Young plants are most susceptible to these borers, with damage occurring on the lower part of the tree.

  • Birds

If you hope to save the berries for yourself, create a barrier from birds that keeps them out but is also safe. Don’t drape anything too loosely, as they could become tangled in the netting.

If your serviceberries are a perennial landscaping feature, leave some berries for the birds and critters, as they’re an important native food source.

  • Bark Beetles (Shothole Beetle)

Minimizing stress is crucial to decrease lower risk of damage by the shothole beetle. They go after decaying or dead trees but are also attracted to weakened branches or stressed plants suffering from aging, chemical damage, transplant shock, environmental damage, or injury.

If your tree looks like it was used as hunting shot practice, it may be damaged by shothole beetles. These little buggers can overwinter in the bark and emerge in the spring as adults.

Common Diseases

  • Cedar-Apple Rust

Caused by two different fungi in the Gymnosporangium genus, two hosts must be infected for the rust to complete its life cycle. Junipers and members of Rosaceae, including serviceberries, can be affected.

The fungi go through four spore stages, with the ones present on serviceberries ranging from yellow or orange round lesions on the leaves to dark pimple-like bodies.

Damage is typically minor, and branches can be pruned off. Eliminating one of the two host categories can decrease the risk of this fungal disease, or fungicidal sprays can be applied in the spring. Follow all warnings and instructions on labels before spraying.

  • Powdery Mildew

While powdery mildew can be a serious threat, it is not a huge deal for serviceberries. The white, powdery spots on the leaves are unsightly and can be removed once noticed. Cleaning up garden debris around plants in the fall decreases the risk. Three applications of a dormant oil used at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and around Valentine’s Day can help prevent powdery mildew outbreaks in subsequent seasons.

  • Entomosporium Leaf and Berry Spot

Symptoms include small brown leaf discolorations, often featuring a yellow halo around the spot. This disease is common and pops up more often in rainy years. Proper pruning, removing debris under the canopy, and deep drip irrigation will decrease the risk. Prune wood at least a foot below the diseased area and discard. Clean your shears or pruners afterward.

  • Fire Blight

If your flowers and leaves are black, shriveled, and have the appearance of being burned, your serviceberry may be infected with fire blight. Although rare, this can be serious and should be treated at the first sign of symptoms.

Cut affected branches at least eight inches below symptoms and dispose of them. Treat wounds and tools with alcohol, or you risk spreading the bacteria. A healthy plant is not at high risk of this disease, so follow good cultural practices.

III. Uses and Benefits

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Amelanchier arborea sarvis close Dcrjsr CC BY 3.0
  • Ornamental uses

Common serviceberry is a popular large shrub or tall tree prized for its early spring blooms. It is commonly used as an accent or shading hedge, and for its small berries. It is an essential plant in cooler weather bird gardens. Plant it with forsythia, dogwood, Cornelian cherry, and viburnum to attract birds throughout the year.

  • Medical uses

Serviceberries have many potential medicinal uses. Native Americans traditionally had many herbal remedies, such as making tea from the stems and twigs as a post-childbirth treatment. However, as with any herbal remedy, consult your physician before use.

  • Culinary uses

Serviceberries are edible and non-toxic to humans and were a staple food for many Indigenous tribes. They taste like a hybrid of sweet blueberry and blackberry with just a hint of apple and are a great source of manganese, copper, iron, calcium, and potassium. Some consider the berries a superfood, although they’re sadly underutilized.

The delicious berries can be processed into jams, pie filling, preserves, baked into muffins and breads, or eaten fresh. They work well in desserts and simple syrups for summer cocktails. Some say they have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor.

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