Serviceberry: the white forest glow

Brightening the emerging spring landscape with frizzy bursts of white flowers is one of the season’s earliest bloomers—serviceberry.

Also called shadblow, Juneberry and shadbush, the blooming of this delicate tree, which may also take the form of a shrub, typically coincides with the upstream movement of shad into regional waters for spawning.

Serviceberry produces fruits that resemble tiny purple berries. Birds, deer and bears favor the fruit as a food source, though humans also use it to make tasty jams, jellies and pies. The oval shaped leaves are typically three to four inches long and between one to two inches wide.

Lovely as the bloom is, it is also brief. Venture out soon, as it is already underway throughout the region.