Allegheny Serviceberry Care – What Is An Allegheny Serviceberry Tree
Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is a great choice for a small decorative tree. It doesn’t grow too tall, and it produces pretty spring flowers followed by fruit that attracts birds to the yard. With just a little basic Allegheny serviceberry info and care, you can add this tree to your landscape with great results.
What is an Allegheny Serviceberry?
Native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, the Allegheny serviceberry tree is a medium-sized tree with multiple stems that form a pretty shape in the landscape. It can grow well in yards and gardens throughout a wide range of climates, between USDA zones 8 and 10. Expect a serviceberry you plant to grow to about 25 to 30 feet (7-9 m.) tall. Growth rate is medium to fast for this deciduous tree. Since it grows fairly quickly and is multi-stemmed and full, people often choose the Allegheny serviceberry to fill in spaces in a yard. It is also a popular choice for the flowers it produces in spring: drooping, white clusters that develop into purple-black berries. The sweet berries attract birds, and the yellow-to-red color change makes this a showy, three-season tree.
Allegheny Serviceberry Care
When growing Allegheny serviceberry, choose a spot that is partially or fully shaded. This tree will not tolerate full sun well, nor will it tolerate dry conditions, showing stress with full sun and in droughts. The soil it grows in should drain well and be loamy or sandy. If you choose to, you can prune your serviceberry to shape it like a small tree, or you can let it grow naturally and it will resemble more of a large shrub. There are some pests and diseases to watch out for with Allegheny serviceberry. Potential diseases include:
Pests that like serviceberry include:
Poor conditions exacerbate diseases and pest infections, especially drought. Overfertilizing with nitrogen can also worsen blight. Give your Allegheny serviceberry the right conditions in which to grow, adequate water while the roots get established, and an occasional balanced fertilizer and you should enjoy a healthy, quick-growing, flowering tree.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.
-
Grow A Music Garden: Hit The High Notes By Making Musical Instruments From Nature
Music lovers and gardening lovers can find a natural groove using items growing and resting around them. Find out how easy it is making musical instruments from nature
By Teo Spengler
-
Why You Should Eat Invasive Plants – A Tasty Way To Control Unwanted Species
Eat invasive plants for nutrition and their amazing varied flavors, but be sure to properly identify the plant and know how to eat it.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
What Is A Saskatoon – Learn About Growing Saskatoon Bushes
Saskatoon shrubs are attractive plants that bloom in spring and produce scads of bluish-purple Saskatoon berries in summer. Reminiscent of cherry with a hint of almond, the berries are rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants. Learn more about them in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
Care For Serviceberry Trees: Growing Autumn Brilliance Serviceberries
Looking for a small tree/shrub with brilliant fall color to liven up the landscape this autumn? Consider the aptly named serviceberry, "Autumn Brilliance", which sports gorgeous orange/red fall color and is disease resistant. Learn more here.
By Amy Grant
-
Harvesting Juneberries: How And When To Pick Juneberries
Juneberries, also known as serviceberries, produce an abundance of edible berries. But what do you do with all that fruit? Click here to learn more about how and when to harvest juneberries, and how to use juneberries in the kitchen.
By Liz Baessler
-
What Is A Serviceberry: Growing And Care Of Serviceberries
Harvested serviceberry fruit can be a delightful treat and growing serviceberry trees is easy to do. Learn more about the care of serviceberries in the landscape by reading the information in this article.
By Susan Patterson