The Native Berried Tree You'll Want To Grow For All Of Its Benefits

Native to North America, amenable to a range of growing conditions, and beneficial to many types of wildlife, serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is a landscaping powerhouse. It's also beautiful to behold, flaunting gorgeous white flowers that provide springtime sustenance to pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Canadian tiger swallowtails, striped hairstreaks, and viceroys sometimes choose these trees for their larvae as well.

Whether you're using your serviceberry as a specimen plant, a border or hedge component, or the centerpiece of a garden that attracts birds, you can grow it as a small tree or multi-trunked shrub. Hardiness and size depend on the species, but serviceberries are typically found in USDA zones 2 through 8 and reach heights of 15 to 20 feet. There are about 30 species to choose from, most of which don't mind less-than-ideal soils and limited sunlight. 

'Autumn Brilliance,' a type of apple serviceberry, is known for its disease resistance and fiery fall foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, this cultivar is a hybrid of two popular species: downy and Allegheny. Otherwise known as the common serviceberry, the downy species produces big berries and is hardy in zones 4 through 9. Allegheny, also called smooth juneberry or smooth shadbush, performs well in wet soil and is hardy in zones 4 through 8. The Canadian or Eastern species can tolerate more sun than Allegheny and almost as much dampness. It's hardy in zones 4 through 7. Need a species that can handle infrequent watering? Try Utah, which is hardy in zones 5 through 8.

Serviceberry's juicy fruits, a type of pome, can bring more birds to your yard with minimal effort. Bluebirds, orioles, and about 40 other avian species love to dine on them, as do mammals such as foxes and chipmunks. The fruits are often fed to baby birds, too. In addition to devouring the pomes, cardinals and robins build nests among the plant's leaves. Plus, elk and moose sometimes munch the twigs and greenery.

Though birds will happily eat every pome on your serviceberry tree, you may want to save some for yourself by placing protective netting over the foliage. The small, berry-like fruits ripen to a purple hue in early summer, hence one of the plant's nicknames: juneberry. They're packed with nutrients and taste like a blueberry-cherry blend with a hint of almond. These fruits are a delicacy of sorts: Most supermarkets don't carry them, but they're a favorite of foragers and chefs. You can eat them raw to enjoy the crunch of the seeds in the center, bake them into muffins and pies, dehydrate them on low heat in the oven, ferment them to make wine, or sprinkle them into pancakes and smoothies. Plus, they make terrific jam for your toast. 

Though the Allegheny serviceberry's fruits may be more scrumptious than those of many other species, the Saskatoon species generally gets the most praise for pome flavor and has large yields. Sometimes known as the Western or Pacific serviceberry, it's hardy in USDA zones 2 through 7. No matter which species you choose, your tree is likely to produce more fruit if planted in a sunny location.

To reap the benefits of a serviceberry tree, it's important to keep it healthy. If possible, plant it during the fall or spring in a spot with good airflow and well-drained soil. Water your tree thoroughly after planting, and provide consistent moisture throughout its first year. Mulching its base helps the soil stay moist. This also discourages weed growth. 

Establish a regular regimen of pruning and fertilizing to help your tree thrive for years to come. If your serviceberry has multiple trunks, keep only one if you want the plant to grow in a tree shape. Other than this, prune only feeble or broken branches and unwanted suckers in the first few years. The ideal time for branch pruning is early spring, before buds and shoots emerge. This is also a good time to fertilize with slow-release tree and shrub food.

It's wise to learn about diseases that affect serviceberries, too. As members of the rose family (Rosaceae), serviceberry trees sometimes suffer from Entomosporium leaf spot. Monitor leaves for brown spots with yellow rings. If you find any, remove the afflicted part of the branch, plus a foot of wood beyond the problem area, toward the trunk. Sterilize your pruning shears each time you lop off a piece of the tree. Isopropyl alcohol is good for disinfecting most garden tools. Saskatoon-juniper rust is another potential problem. It makes yellow spots and spikes on leaves and fruit. Planting serviceberry trees far from juniper bushes helps prevent this infection, which can be treated with broad-spectrum fungicide. Also keep an eye out for powdery mildew, which coats leaves in white or gray dust.