The Trees of Our Little Acre - Serviceberry

In 1988, when we had our in-ground pool put in, we also constructed a pool house that doubles as a shed. On the north side of the pool house we planted a serviceberry tree (Amelanchier sp.). It is multi-trunked and has grown to be a lovely, graceful tree that shades an already shady flower bed below it.

There are white blossoms in the spring which give way to luscious fruit that the birds love. Humans can eat them too and they make delicious jelly. Depending on the cultivar, they are hardy to zone 3 or 4. In the fall, the leaves on ours turn a beautiful shade of yellow which contrasts nicely with the smooth and spotted dark bark.

This fall, I was happy to notice a good-sized seedling growing a short distance away and I moved it to the orphan garden for the winter. In the spring, I'll decide where I'm going to plant it permanently. It's really a wonderful tree that I'd put in the same ornamental class as Japanese Maples, because they're so graceful in appearance.

Under its cover is one of Max's favorite places to sleep and stay cool in the summertime.


*Photo of berries from Paghat's Garden.