Downy Serviceberry
Arbor walk #40, Treekeeper ID #4578
This Missouri native tree offers edible, berry-like fruit that changes color throughout the seasons. It starts out green, turns red, then blue-black in June. The competition for the fruit is stiff because they are a favorite of many bird species.
Also called Juneberries, the fruit are similar in size and shape to blueberries (but is a pome instead of a berry) and can be used to make jellies and jams. It has white flowers in Spring, beautiful foliage in fall, and silvery-gray bark in winter, making it a standout all-year-round.
| Common Name | Downy Serviceberry, Juneberry |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Amelanchier arborea |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Gaylord Music Library, 41.07 m | Blewett House, 61.63 m | Danforth University Center, 70.93 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Pin Oak, 4.62 m | American Holly, 6.15 m | Littleleaf Linden, 6.82 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6.84 | 7.80 | 6.94 | 7.52 | 7.23 |
| 2023 | 9.98 | 8.9 | 7.53 | 7.62 | 7.575 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Minor blemishes on bark and some light green algae |
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Downy Serviceberry are 1 1/2″ to 3″ long. The leaf shape can be ovate or elliptical, and sometimes the leaves develop pubescence on their underside. The margins are serrated, and the venation is pinnate.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs of the Downy Serviceberry have scattered, visible lenticels (pores), and young twigs are often pubescent. The buds are long and pointed, usually around 1/2″ long. They are typically red, have hairy margins, and have a few scales. They also tend to “hug” the twig.
Bark Identification
The Downy Serviceberry’s bark is smooth when young but develops long, vertical furrows as it ages. It is usually a silvery-gray throughout its life.
Fruit Identification
The Downy Serviceberry has an edible fruit that have about a 1/3″ diameter. The berry-like pome starts out green, change to a red, then turn blue in June. They develop and hang in small clusters.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Downy Serviceberry form drooping racemes that have around 10 white flowers. Each individual flower typically has 5 petals and is somewhat star-shaped. The flowers sometimes develop a pink tinge.
