Wild Serviceberry Bush

Text and photos by sarah coulber.

Wild serviceberry bush. A common understory tree in the southeastern forests of the u s serviceberry is found in the wild from louisiana to newfoundland and as far west as washington. If you prefer a small tree prune it to create a central leader to serve as the main trunk. Serviceberries are also important plants for the larvae of certain butterflies such as tiger butterflies viceroy admirals and others. They can be shrub like to tree sized.

Serviceberry amelanchier spp is a small shrub or tree that although frequently cultivated as a garden specimen also grows in the wild. Of the about 30 species in serviceberry s genus most are native to north america and still range freely in their native habitats. In the wild serviceberries may be found growing in moist woodland sites and along streams. And it just so happens that they look good too.

This species grows best in moist soils with proper drainage. There are many species within this group. The allegheny serviceberry may form into multiple trunks and is one of the tallest amelanchier species. All have edible berries which are technically a pome.

Chuckley pear juneberry serviceberry saskatoon shadblow sugarplum wild pear wild plum. Their berries edible by humans and wildlife alike resemble blueberries in size and color but taste sweeter. Their white to pinkish white flowers are some of the first to appear in spring. There are 20 species of serviceberries including downy serviceberry canadian serviceberry and allegheny serviceberry.