Winters were brutal throughout New England in colonial America.
Many settlers didn’t survive the season, and because the ground was frozen solid, burials had to wait until the spring thaw.
Plants don’t follow calendars. They are dictated by the weather. Settlers knew this, so they watched one specific tree for cues — Amelanchier. When its white flowers bloomed, it meant the soil was soft enough to dig graves.
Preachers then went from settlement to settlement to perform funeral services, earning the harbinger tree its common name — serviceberry. Amelanchier is also known as shadbush or shadblow, because the blooms coincide with the shad fish’s migratory season.
Serviceberry is one of the earliest bloomers, making it an important food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Later, its berries sustain dozens of bird species and mammals, including humans, who can make them into jams, jellies and even serviceberry wine.
Versatile Amelanchier provides four-season interest. There are more than 20 species of the Eastern North American native tree. They grow 15-25 feet tall, and are single or multi-stemmed. The fall foliage turns a brilliant orange-red, and its bark provides lovely winter interest. It can be planted in part sun or shade, in moist, well-draining soil, while eastern serviceberry thrives in swampy areas and can handle drought.
Amelanchier inspired the Rye Sustainability Committee to undertake a native tree planting project along Playland Parkway this spring. Eighteen Amelanchier, along with 16 American dogwoods and native shrubs, will be planted. This is possible because of generous community support and a grant from The Westchester Parks Foundations. For more information or donations, visit ryesustainability@gmail.com
Amelanchier work well in woodland settings, near your home, as a specimen or understory. Under appreciated and underused, there is an Amelanchier right for your garden.
