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Serviceberry (Juneberry) (Amelanchier species) Habitat Management
Suggestions for Selected Wildlife Species Description Serviceberries are deciduous, winterhardy, long-lived, slow-growing, small- to medium-sized shrubs or small trees native to Europe and Asia, but chiefly to North America. They are found throughout Montana in woodlands along streams, ravines and lake shores, sometimes forming dense thickets. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged on the twigs and branches and serrated form the middle to the tips. The white flowers form clusters at the tips of the branches and bloom in early May. The blue-black, edible berries ripen in late June or early July. The bark is light brown or gray, and the twigs red or reddish-brown. In Montana on good soils with favorable moisture, the species grow to a height of 2 to 10 feet, and 20 feet tall or more in some locations. Adaptation Serviceberry grows on shallow and rocky soils in upland climatic zones, but is found on deep loamy to clayey soils in the mountainous areas, where it grows taller and has a wider crown spread. It grows on shallow soils and moderately deep to deep soils with more than 35 percent coarse fragments scattered throughout the profile. It is adapted to a wider range of soils than most other kinds of shrubs; however, it is not found where slat and alkali occur. The best growing conditions are in moist soils. Average annual precipitation varies from 12 to 14 inches in its natural range of adaptation. Establishment The planting stock should be two years old, without having been transplanted prior, and 9 to 24 inches tall. The plants should be spaced 4 to 10 feet apart, depending on the ecotype and size expected at maturity. Management and Care Grazing in excess of 50 percent of annual plant growth is detrimental to the vigor and survival of this species. The plants should not be pruned, thinned or sheared. Plantings in less than 12-inch annual precipitation zones require supplemental irrigation. There are no known serious insects or diseases. Uses Serviceberry is an important browse species for deer and elk. Bear relish the fruit as do many species of songbirds, game birds and other animals. The shrubby growth provides cover and nesting for songbirds, bird loafing and roosting and animal loafing and bedding. The plants are desirable for landscaping and screening purposes. The fruit is also widely used for household preserves. (Top) |
Serviceberry is an important browse species for deer and elk.
RELATED STORIES ServiceberryComparative Characteristics of Forage Species in Montana Minimizing Deer Damage to Residential Plantings
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