Amelanchier Canadensis Serviceberry Tree (click for bare root Amelanchier Canadensis)
The Amelanchier Canadensis or Serviceberry tree is a resilient tree/shrub and is considered very attractive. This may be an opinion formed by the Amelanchier Canadensis Appreciation Society in which case could be considered biased. To the average Joe on the street, it might just be a nice plant with white flowers.
Thrives well in boggy conditions, the implication being that it prefers water and quite a bit of it although you can plant it in other environments such as woods, hedgerows etc. Plant in full sun for best colours.
The rounded dark green oval leaves turn a lovely shade of orange (or gold depending on how much of the poet there is in you!)
Showy star-shaped white flowers appear from March to April time which turn to dark edible fruits in Summer. They do this without the need for another Amelanchier nearby and so are considered self-fertile.
The fruits have a few small seeds at the centre and taste a little like apples although impart an almond-like flavour when cooked and are high in iron and copper. You will be competing with the birds for the fruits so either set the alarm early and go to bed with your running shoes on or net the tree.
Amelanchier Canadensis Options
100cm+: 3-5L Pot, 100-125cm tall at delivery.
125-150cm: 5-9L pot, 125-150cm tall at delivery.
150-175cm: 9-15L pot, 150-175cm tall at delivery.
Planting Amelanchier Canadensis
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil, clay, loam or chalk, in full to partial shade and expect a final height of around 6m and a spread of 3m although you can prune to less (never seen pruned more!) The best results have been achieved by planting in acidic and damp conditions but not waterlogged.
You can mix in ericaceous compost to the excavated dirt for absolutely best results as this is on the acidic side. Mulching with pine needles and/or sawdust is another method of acidifying the soil.
Mostly grown as a multi-stem shrub and is considered to be UK fully hardy which means will stick its twigs up to minus 15 degrees centigrade.
Will tolerate strong winds but not coastal environments. As it tolerates high winds, the Serviceberry tree can be planted as an informal hedge and used as a windbreak.
Other Amelanchier Canadensis information (Just in case you have time to kill)
Native to North America and Canada and usually found growing from sea level up to around 200m. Used in Bonsai with some medicinal uses.
The wood of the Serviceberry Tree is close-grained and useful for tool handles or other applications requiring strong wood.
Some ornamental gardens underplant the Amelanchier Canadensis with perennial plants and are favoured by many local authorities because of its low maintenance, hardiness, tolerance to pollution and aesthetic qualities.
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
