Serviceberry Tree

Mar 2, 2008 at 12:43 PM
1 comment

The shad are about to start running and my serviceberry (shadbush) tree is about to bloom.

Rose Wilder Lane wrote about the serviceberry trees that grew in the woods at Rocky Ridge Farm. She commented that the blooms gave a misty appearance to the woods surrounding the farm house. The story is in "Little House Sampler" and I will post Rose's quote here.

The fruit is good for jellies, pies, etc. The size of the fruit is about the size of a holly berry. It would take a great many to do anything with. I usually eat a few of mine fresh off the tree. Most go to the birds, I thoroughly enjoy watching the birds enjoying them.

This link at Wikipedia says more about the genus than I can type here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serviceberry