How to Identify Nantucket Serviceberry

Leaf Identification

The leaves of the Nantucket Serviceberry are small and ovate-shaped. The margins are serrated, and the venation is pinnate and reticulate. They have silvery hairs on the underside when they first emerge but become glabrous (smooth) with time.

  • Leaf of Arbor Walk #131 (has disease present)
  • Underside of Leaf from Arbor Walk #131 (has disease present)

Twig and Bud Identification

The twigs of the Nantucket Serviceberry are gray to reddish-brown. The buds have many scales and are also reddish-brown. The buds may have slight pubescence.

  • Twig of Arbor Walk #131
  • Bud of Arbor Walk #131

Bark Identification

The Nantucket Serviceberry’s bark is typically smooth and can have faint dark stripes.

  • Bark of Arbor Walk #131

Fruit Identification

The fruit of the Nantucket Serviceberry is an edible, berry-like, dark purple pome. The diameter is usually around 1/4″ to 1/3″. The fruits ripen in early summer.

Flower Identification

The Nantucket Serviceberry’s flowers are white and have 5 petals. They appear in clusters with about 7 to 10 flowers per cluster. They are narrow and spoon-shaped. This tree has a specialized ability called andropetaly, which means that they sometimes bear pollen on the ends of their petals. The flowers bloom in early spring.