Allegheny Serviceberry

**(Amelanchier laevis Wiegand)**

Description

Allegheny serviceberry (family Rosaceae) is a deciduous tree that can reach heights of 25 feet, and diameters of 25 feet in their native habitats¹. It is a narrow round, multi-stemmed, irregular shape with fragrant white flowers on its fine branches making it a popular plant used in landscaping¹. The bark is smooth, silver-gray, with vertical stripes down it. The leaves are oval shaped, 2-4 inches in length, simple, alternate, and emerge red, before turning green/blue². During the fall, colors change and vary between colors from yellow to red. Loose clusters of white fragrant flowers emerge in April to June⁷ before the leaves followed by berries in the summer that turn from red to purple and are edible. The berries are the seeds of the tree and are round, small, and roughly 3/8 of an inch in diameter^1,2.

Allegheny Serviceberry in Howard Co., Maryland (10/23/2019). Collected and processed by Helen Lowe Metzman. Allegheny serviceberry flowers. @H. L. Metzman, 2019 ⁶.

Allegheny Serviceberry in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/16/2015).

Allegheny serviceberry leaves and fruits. @ J. Hill, 2015 ⁶

Distribution

Allegheny serviceberries are native to Eastern North America, and Eastern Canada⁴. Its native habitat is cool woods, in a slightly acidic soil that is moist/slightly dry, however they can tolerate most soil types as long as they aren’t in drought³. They prefer well-drained loams as well as shaded or lightly shaded areas. These trees do not tolerate full sunlight well⁵. In Maryland the Allegheny serviceberry can be found in Garrett, Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, and Carrol counties ⁶.

Native distribution of Allegheny serviceberry¹³.

Wildlife importance

Allegheny serviceberry is host to larvae of Red-Spotted Purple and Viceroy butterflies. Flower nectar is used by butterflies and bees. Fruits are consumed by songbirds, ruffed grouse, chipmunks, squirrels and large mammals^3,8.

Economic importance

Due to the quick growing ability of the Allegheny serviceberry as well as the beauty of its flowers, many landscapers and homeowners use this tree in their yards. Its berries are also good for making jams, syrups, juices, pies, and sweatbreads⁹.

Threats

Cambium miners can be a cause of concern, however, rarely are they ever damaging to the tree itself. Borers attack the trees as well, but healthy trees rarely suffer from this, so fertilization as well as watering when needed is used to prevent borers. Spider mites may infest the tree. These will cause leaves to die, and these can be prevented by using horticultural oil sprays during the spring time. Allegheny serviceberries can also suffer from diseases such as witches broom (black mildew), leaf blight, powdery mildews, and fruit rotting. Witches broom isn’t much cause for concern as they can be pruned off without using chemicals. Leaf blight usually needs to be controlled as it will cause leaves to die, bark to shrivel, gum to ooze from the infected area. Diseased branches can be pruned out and fertilization can increase resistance. Mildew also does not need any controls as it is not a serious threat to the plant¹⁰.

Interesting Facts

It is thought that the name serviceberry came from the first settlers in New England held funeral services at the same time the tree began to bloom. It was a signal that the ground was thawed enough to dig graves¹¹.
It is sometimes called Juneberry since June is when its fruits ripen¹².
Its berries are often used to make pies called Juneberry pies¹².

References
Contributed by j. Rosling

Towson University Glen Arboretum