Chapter 73 Amelanchier sp.
73.1 Serviceberry
Close up of an early spring flower. Link to original image.
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Serviceberries, juneberries, and saskatoons are shrubs and small trees that are native to North America. They are exceptionally winter-hardy and not fussy about soil. There are several species available from nurseries.
| Species Name | Common Name | Native | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amelanchier alnifolia | saskatoon | Alaska, W. Canada, NW US | A common understory shrub. |
| Amelanchier arborea | common or downy serviceberry | E. North America from Gulf Coast to Ontario, west to Texas and Minnesota | Trunks can reach 6” caliber in full sun. |
| Amelanchier canadensis | shadbush, shadblow serviceberry | E. North America from Newfoundland to Ontario, south to Alabama | Adapted to wet sites in coastal areas. |
| Amelanchier laevis | Allegheny serviceberry | Newfoundland west to Ontario, Minnesota, and Iowa, south to Georgia and Alabama | Adapted to forest margins. |
| Amelanchier lamarckii | juneberry | Species is of unknown origin, but generally thought to be from North America. Widely naturalized in Europe | Commonly grown for nursery trade. |
Fall foliage. Link to original image.
73.2 Soil: Moist Deciduous Mix
Ratio: 4 parts bark, 1 part grit
Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)
pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)
Moisture: likes average to moist soil.
Ripening serviceberries appear in June. Fruits need ample sun to ripen fully. Link to original image.
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73.3 Cultivation Notes
Serviceberries are attractive large shrubs or small trees that are native to North America. They do not get used in bonsai (or landscapes) as much as they should, despite having year-round interest. They have drooping white flowers in spring prior to leafing out, purple spring leaves, blue to purple edible fruit in summer, brilliantly colored fall foliage, and twiggy, twisted branches that provide winter interest.
73.3.1 Potting
Repot in spring.
73.3.2 Pruning
Serviceberry in early spring. This image shows the physical structure of the trunks. Link to original image.
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Do not try to force a particular shape. Focus on developing and maintaining the natural clump style.
To begin developing a clump style, plant a starter shrub in open ground for 2-3 years to establish several strong steps. Lift in spring, clean up and prune back the roots. Cut back all stems to about half their length. Plant in moist deciduous mix in a deeper tray, and allow the clump to recover for the season.
The next spring, after a season of free growth, select an odd number of stems to develop, and cut the others to the ground. Begin training pruning the selected stems. Keep root suckers pruned out as they appear.
Work on developing a good branch structure when the tree is young. Prune yearly in late winter or early spring before the new leaves appear. Inspect the tree for deadwood, diseased wood and crossed branches. Where possible cut back to just above an outward facing bud.
The wood tends to splinter, so thick stems and branches should be removed in stages. Start by cutting through the bark and cambium all the way around the branch. Then go out ~1/2 inch beyond the cuts and remove the branch or stem. This also prevents the bark from tearing off. Once the main mass has been removed, go back and remove the stump. Avoid damaging the branch collar.
To raise the crown and keep the tree from reverting back to a shrub form, prune branches in fall or winter. Clip the lowest branches on each stem, leaving stumps until spring. Clean off the stumps in spring.
Once the tree is the size and shape desired, switch to pruning the tree immediately after flowering. Do not prune in summer; that is when new buds develop.
73.3.3 Feeding
Serviceberries do better with a higher phosphate fertilizer such as 20-30-20 or 18-24-16. One option is to feed biweekly with Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food (18-24-16) at 1/4 or 1/2 strength.
73.3.4 Pests & Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Occasionally will develop rust, leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew or cankers. Generally they can be treated with anything suited to roses or apples.
73.3.5 Winter Storage
Serviceberries are very winter-hardy. Rabbits and squirrels tend to gnaw the bark. Protect with a cage or wire mesh fence.
73.4 Propagation Notes
Serviceberries can be grown from seed. Seed is best harvested when the fruit is mature but before the seed coat has hardened, and sown immediately in pots outdoors. Stored seed needs 4 weeks warm stratification before being left out in the winter. Stored seed can take 18 months to germinate.
Larger shrubs are available from garden centers.
73.5 Artistic & Styling Notes
Serviceberries can be pruned to single-trunk trees, but they naturally grow as multi-trunked shrubs. By pruning a few selected stems, they quickly develop a craggy clump style.
73.6 Additional Information
73.6.1 Natural History
Serviceberries are excellent forage shrubs for wildlife, especially birds.
73.6.1.1 Cultivation
Serviceberries make attractive shrub borders, and do well in woodlands or native plant gardens, or along stream banks and ponds. Once shrub trunks reach a desired size, they can be dug out and replaced with new young shrubs.