Description

Serviceberry (also known as sarvisberry, Juneberry, shadbush or saska-toon) is native to Montana. It is a deciduous, winterhardy, long-lived, slow-growing, small- to medium-sized shrub or small tree that varies in height from 3 to 20 feet.

In eastern Montana it is a common shrub in the draws or coulees and on rocky, north-facing slopes. In western Montana it grows on rocky slopes in full sunlight or in partial shade of open timber. It may form dense stands, but is more commonly found in association with other shrubs.

Serviceberry has oblong, alternate leaves, toothed on the upper half and the white flowers becoming purplish fleshy berries that ripen in late June or early July. The bark is light brown or gray, and the twigs are red or reddish-brown. It has a deep spreading root system.

Adaptation

Serviceberry is adapted to a wider range of soils than most other kinds of shrubs. Deep, sandy to silty clay soils or slightly-basic to slightly- acid pH are preferred. It requires good drainage and reasonably high fertility, and is not tolerant of alkalinity or salinity. This shrub is winterhardy, moderately drought tolerant and intolerant of flooding.

The best growing conditions are in moist soils. Average annual precipitation varies from 12 to 14 inches in its natural range of adaptation.

Establishment

For successful germination, seed apparently must be stratified five to six months in cool, moist conditions. Seeding before fall rains should provide favorable conditions for establishment. Serviceberry can be quite successfully reproduced by root cuttings or by soft wood cuttings made in early June. Growth the first two years may be quite slow.

Bare root planting stock should be 20 to 24 inches tall. The plants should be spaced 4 to 10 feet apart, depending on the genotype 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 serviceberry. Where it is especially vigorous or is not being grazed, it will increase. On timbered sites, where it is used by both livestock and big game, it decreases. Plantings in less than 12-inch annual precipitation years require supplemental irrigation. There are no known serious insects or diseases. Recovery following burning has been excellent on big game winter ranges.

Uses

Because of its palatability, wide distribution and availability, serviceberry is recognized as one of the most important browse species for big game and livestock. Cattle and sheep browse it readily, particularly in late summer and fall when protein and phosphorus content is higher than that of most grasses. It is one of the preferred winter foods for most big game species. Bears relish the fruit as do many species of songbirds, gamebirds and other animals.

The plants are desirable for landscaping and screening purposes. The fruit is widely used for home preserves.