Saskatoon or Western Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

Family: Rosaceae or Rose

Leaves: Alternate; simple; oval to round; 1" to 2" long; deciduous; coarsely serrate margin; dark green above, paler beneath; petiole 3/8" to 3/4" long.

Twigs/buds: Twigs slender; red-brown to gray-brown; hairy at first, later becoming glabrous.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers similar to downy serviceberry, but in 1" long clusters. Fruit also similar to downy serviceberry; sweet, juicy, edible.

Bark: Thin; brown to gray; smooth.

Wood: Unimportant; similar to downy serviceberry; diffuse-porous.

General: A large shrub or small tree native to most of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada on fairly cool, moist sites. In Utah found in protected, cool canyon locations. Often found in groups due to sprouting from underground stems. Shade tolerant.

Landscape Use: Seldom planted in cultivated landscapes. Zones 3-8. Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) is another Utah native serviceberry that could be planted but is not. Its leaves are covered with fine hairs and the fruit is not juicy, but is sweet and edible. Also a mountain canyon species. Zones 3-8.