The serviceberry is a deciduous tree that provides year round color and interest in the home landscape. Large white flower clusters appear on the branches in April, before the smooth, shiny green leaves unfurl. June brings purplish-black berries and fall is highlighted by a brilliant reddish-orange leaf color that lasts for many weeks. Follow these easy steps to plant your serviceberry and enjoy it all year long.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Step 1

   Choose a planting site that receives full sun. The serviceberry, however, is one of the few flowering trees that adapts to a partly shaded location. A protected location is ideal as the service berry does not thrive in windy or exposed areas.

2. Step 2

   Prepare the serviceberry tree for planting. Trees may be purchased balled-and burlapped or in containers. Lay container plants on the ground and roll the pot back and forth to loosen the tree. Gently ease the serviceberry out of the pot. Use a knife or garden shears to remove any twine or wire restricting the tree. Cut away half of the burlap from the rootball.

3. Step 3

   Dig a planting hole 4 times the width of the rootball and equally as deep.

4. Step 4

   Place the serviceberry in the planting hole. Backfill a small portion of the original soil to keep the tree erect. Fill the planting hole with water and allow time to be absorbed. Use a shovel to fill the hole with the remaining soil and water again.

5. Step 5

   Create a water well around the base of the tree. Mulch the entire planting area

Read more: How to Grow a Serviceberry Tree | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2078495_grow-serviceberry-tree.html#ixzz0uHAiroDL

How to Identify Serviceberries in the Wild

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By Sonya Welter, eHow Contributing Writer

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Ripe Serviceberries

Serviceberries are common throughout the United States and Canada. In late summer, the plants produce a sweet, mild-tasting fruit. There are over twenty species of serviceberries in North America, and they go by a multitude of other common names, among them Juneberry, Shadbush, Saskatoon, or their scientific genus name of Amelanchier. The fruit of the species is edible—although some are more tasty than others—and can be eaten fresh or preserved.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Take a look at the environment in which the plant is growing. Serviceberries are woodland trees that flourish in the sun, and are rarely found in the deep dark of a forest. Serviceberries are most commonly found at a forest edge or in a sunny, open patch of land. Serviceberries need rich, well-drained soil and adequate air circulation to grow.

2. Step 2

   Examine the tree's structure. Serviceberry trees are about ten to twenty feet tall and about five to ten feet across. The trunks often grow in multi-stemmed clumps, and are relatively straight and upright, without much branching.

3. Step 3

   Feel the bark. Serviceberry bark is smooth, and the color is grey or greyish brown.

4. Step 4

   Inspect the leaves. Serviceberry leaves are elliptical and lightly toothed around the edge. The leaves turn a brilliant red in the autumn.

5. Step 5
   
   Serviceberry flowers

   In late spring, look for simple, white, sweet-smelling flowers with five petals. However, be aware that the flowers are short-lived, especially in windy or rainy conditions, and even in the best of weather, won't be around much longer than a week.

6. Step 6

   Watch for the fruit in mid-to-late summer. Serviceberry fruit is smooth and round, somewhat resembling a large blueberry. Immature fruit will be pink to red, with a greenish tinge. Ripe fruit, on the other hand, will be a deep purple.

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Read more: How to Identify Serviceberries in the Wild | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4500740_identify-serviceberries-wild.html#ixzz0uHB7E0Vn