Western Serviceberry

Western serviceberry (also called Saskatoon berry) is a native multi-stemmed shrub-tree of dry to moist forest edges and woodland transitions across western North America, from Alaska to northern California and east to the Great Plains. The bark is smooth and gray. The leaves are oval, lightly toothed, and turn red to orange in fall. The flowers appear in upright racemes, and the small blue-black berries in early summer are highly valued by birds and wildlife. The tree rarely exceeds 20 to 25 feet and often remains more shrubby in drier sites.

Western serviceberry is a useful native for dry to moist sites with full sun to part shade and adaptable soil conditions. Growth is moderate, reaching mature size in 12 to 15 years. The tree is relatively pest and disease-free, making it a low-maintenance choice. The blue-black fruits ripen in June and are quickly consumed by birds; if you wish to harvest berries, use bird netting. Fall color is reliable, ranging from orange to red. For riparian restoration, understory planting, and wildlife corridors, western serviceberry offers multiple seasons of interest: spring flowers, summer fruits, fall color, and winter form.