Common Serviceberry

Last week, Hawk Mountain Biologist-Naturalist Bracken Brown spotted the blooms on a common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) at his home near the Mountain.

For us, this native Pennsylvania tree represents a signal of spring, however, blooms on this species were an indicator to early European settlers that the ground had thawed enough for them to bury their loved ones who had perished over the frozen winter months. They would hold graveside funeral services when this tree began to bloom, hence the name, serviceberry. The tree was also known as a “survival tree” because it produces edible berries as early as June. The bright red berries are a valuable source of food to birds and other animals.

Photo by Bracken Brown.