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| ## pacific serviceberry {#pacific-serviceberry .Title-Header}         |
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| *Amelanchier alnifolia* (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer var.               |
| *semiiintegrifolia* (Hook.) C.L. Hitchc.                              |
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| Plant Symbol = AMALS                                                  |
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*Contributed by: USDA NRCS Corvallis Plant Materials Center*

##### Alternate Names

Pacific serviceberry has been referred to in the literature by several
different scientific names, including *Amelanchier florida*,
*Amelanchier alnifolia*, and currently, as a variety of *Amelanchier
alnifolia* (Saskatoon serviceberry). The infomation contained in this
document refers specifically to Pacific serviceberry (as a variety of
*Amelanchier alnifolia*) only when so stated. Synonyms of Pacific
serviceberry include *Amelanchier alnifolia* spp. *florida* and
*Amelanchier florida* (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
1999).

##### 

##### Uses

*Cultural*: *Amelanchier alnifolia* has a long history of use by native
populations and early settlers of the Pacific Northwest. The berries
were eaten raw or cooked or dried and stored. Dried berries were often
mixed with dried vegetables or meat or cooked in soups or puddings.
Cakes of dried berries were a common trading item (Gunther 1995; Turner
and others 1990). The wood is hard and was used for combs, digging
sticks, firedrills, arrows, tool handles, hoops, and spreaders.
Decoction of stems, twigs (bark), leaves, and berries were used as
medicine (Turner and others 1990).

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.9165354330708662in"
height="2.9625984251968505in"}*Ornamentals*: Pacific serviceberry may be
used effectively in naturalized plantings and as hedges, windbreaks, or
screens in urban areas (Flessner and others 1992). Several cultivars of
saskatoon serviceberry are available for ornamental plantings and
commercial fruit production in North America. Many of these cultivars
and ecotypes originated in western Canada and the northern region of the
United States. The named varieties have larger, sweeter, and juicier
fruits than their wild relatives and are used to make jams, jellies,
syrups, baked goods, candies, fruit leather, and wine. Commercial
producers in Alberta, Sasketchewan, and Manitoba have established many
acres of saskatoons and have developed a fresh and processed fruit
cottage industry (Wilson 1993).

*Wildlife:* Deer, moose, and other mammals browse serviceberry, and its
fruit is relished by several species of song and game birds (Elias 1980;
Marks and Marks 1988). These shrubs are often used as cover for small
mammals and birds.

*Streambank and Riparian Restoration*: Pacific serviceberry is an
excellent candidate for streambank and riparian restoration in terms of
erosion control and improved wildlife habitat as the species suckers
readily and tolerates many types of soils (Dirr 1983; L.H. Bailey
Hortorium 1976; Plummer and others 1968).

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description

*General:* This cool season species is a thicket-forming shrub or small
tree 3-12 meters tall with smooth brown bark, slender branches, and
oblong leaves sharply and coarsely toothed along the upper margin (Elias
1980). For *Amelanchier alnifolia*, a typical ramet is comprised of long
shoots and short shoots; only short shoots bear fruit. Floral buds are
formed in the first season on branches at least one-year-old, and fruit
develops the following season (St. Pierre and Steeves 1990). Clusters of
perfect white flowers appear in spring before leaves, and dark purple to
black berrylike pomes are produced in mid- or late summer (USDA Forest
Service 1974). It is primarily self pollinated but may be
cross-pollinated via insects or wind (Davidson and Mazza 1991; Olson
1984). Recent studies show basic chromosome number is n=17; there are
diploid (2n=34) as well as tetraploid plants (4n=68) (Pruski and others
1991). The fruit contains 4-10 dark brown seeds with leathery seed coats
(USDA Forest Service 1974). This species may not flower and reproduce
before 10 years or longer, especially on harsh sites (Wasser and
Shoemaker 1982).

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Pacific
serviceberry occurs west of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountain
ranges, from British Columbia south to central California (USDA Forest
Service 1974).

*Habitat*: The plant may be found in open woods, along canyons, or on
hillsides, from near sea level to subalpine altitudes (Anonymous 1976).
Pacific serviceberry is reported as a component of *Quercus garryana*,
prairie, mixed conifer, and *Pseudotsuga menziesii/Pinus
contora/Berberis nervosa/Spirea betulifolia* plant communities (Franklin
and Dryness 1973).

##### Adaptation

The species is tolerant of most soil textures and occurs from near sea
level to subalpine altitudes (Wasser and Shoemaker 1982). It is found on
open, dry rocky slopes to partially shaded sites with moist, deep soils
but prefers moist, well-drained, acid soil and full sun or partial shade
(Dirr 1983; Wasser and Shoemaker 1982; Wilson 1993). *Amelanchier
alnifolia* was reported to increase in frequency following fire,
although canopy cover decreased, in one study (Anderson and Bailey
1980). Plants of *Amelanchier alnifolia* can even be grown in granitic
mine spoil and produce reasonable growth, but not on pyritic spoil
(Voeller and others 1998). This species is generally not tolerant of
saline soils and high water tables (Wasser and Shoemaker 1982).

##### Establishment

*Amelanchier alnifolia* reproduces naturally by stolons and seed. In
nursery practice, cultivars may be propagated successfully by cold-moist
stratification of dried seed, division, layering, root cuttings,
grafting or budding, and tissue culture (Anonymous 1976b; Dirr 1983;
Dirr and Heuser 1987; McDonald 1986; Nelson and Bishop 1980; USDA Forest
Service 1974).

*Seeding:* Seed propagation can result in variability in select traits
of 20-30% (Pruski and others 1991). Many growers use open-pollinated
seedlings from named cultivars of saskatoon serviceberry for commercial
orchard establishment as this species is difficult to vegetatively
propagate by conventional means (Davidson and Mazza 1991). This method
of establishment should be monitored and evaluated for variability,
depending on targeted use of fruit.

It is important to note that usually a large percentage of seed
collected from wild populations is infertile and insect-infested. Seed
can be extracted from berries using a dull-bladed or rubber-bladed
blender (Kabaluk and St. Pierre 1992). Once seed is separated from pulp
and skin, they may be placed in a mixture of 1:1:1
peat-perlite-vermiculite and stratified (moist-chilled) at 4°C for 3-6
months (Kabaluk and St. Pierre 1992; USDA Forest Service 1974). Acid
scarification (abrasion of seed coat) may reduce stratification length,
although the acid concentration and duration of scarification must first
be tested or evaluated for effectiveness. Prior to stratification,
selecting medium-weight seeds may further reduce seed dormancy (Weber
and others 1982). Some propagators have encountered severe fungal growth
during cold stratification; using sterile conditions and adding
fungicide to the media can reduce the fungal growth (McTavish 1986).
Average germination percentages of cold-moist stratified seed range from
50 to 70%.

Once fresh seed is separated from the pulp and air-dried, the dry seed
may be further cleaned using hand screens, a fanning mill, or air-screen
machine (USDA Forest Service 1974; Wasser and Shoemaker 1982). Although
seed quality for *Amelanchier alnifolia* has not been standardized, a
minimum of 95% purity and 60% germination is desired (Wasser and
Shoemaker 1982), and seeds per pound can range from 36,000 to 113,000

or a mean of 61,000 (Vories 1980). Air-dried seed of serviceberry may be
stored in sealed containers with little decline in viability for 5 years
(USDA Forest Service 1974). Many seeds do not germinate until the second
spring.

In the nursery, the saskatoon serviceberry is seeded at the rate of 25
pure live seeds per foot of row (Wasser and Shoemaker 1982). This
seeding rate may be reduced to obtain desired or original composition on
sites being restored or improved. Unstratified seed is planted in late
fall, and moist, pre-chilled seed is planted in spring, at a depth of
approximately 0.6 centimeters (USDA Forest Service 1974; Wasser and
Shoemaker 1982).

*Cuttings:* Reports of rooting success using softwood cuttings of
*Amelanchier alnifolia* are variable (Bishop and Nelson 1980; Dirr 1983;
Harris 1976; Pruski and others 1991). Timing of cutting and stage of
growth of the mother shrub are important factors in rooting success
(Bishop and Nelson 1980). Best results (95% rooting) were obtained using
softwood cuttings taken from etiolated, field-grown, rejuvenated stock
plants under intermittent mist without hormonal treatment (Nelson 1987).
Summer rooted cuttings cease growth following rooting and exhibit poor
winter survival (Harris 1976). Hormonal treatments in combination with
other factors have been used to prevent this dormancy (Pruski and others
1991). Another study reported 80% rooting using 4-5 inch softwood
cuttings from terminal stems with a basal dusting in talc of 0.8% IBA
and placed in 100% perlite in a mist bench (Chong and others 1992).
Bottom heat (70°F or 21^o^C) has been reported to improve rooting
success in some cases (Bishop and Nelson 1980; Harris 1976).

Transplants or containerized stock should be planted in early spring
(for harsh, cold sites) or fall (Wasser and Shoemaker 1982). Planting
material should be between 15 cm and 60 cm in height with extensive
fibrous root systems for best results (Wilson 1993). Moist soil, mulch,
and partial shade enhance survival and growth (Wasser and Shoemaker
1982). Bare-root stock may be planted in early spring. Two-year-old
seedlings may be lifted in fall and stored at 33° F (1° C) until
planting (Howe 1976). For fruit production, seedlings may be planted in
rows; between row and within row spacing should be a minimum of 3.6
meters and 1.8 meters, respectively (Flessner and others 1992).

##### Management

*Fruit Production:* For commercial orchards and ornamental specimens,
branches that are more than four years old may be pruned out in spring
for better fruit production and longer life span (Wallace 1978). Pruning
of established stands may also include 1) removal of low spreading
branches to encourage air circulation and more upright form, 2) removal
of diseased shoots, and 3) heading back shoots to six feet for more
efficient harvest. Saskatoons usually begin to bear fruit when 3 to 5
years old, with full production at 8 years (Wilson 1993). Average crop
yields of orchards range from 3000 to 4000 pounds per acre, with some
orchards producing as much as 6000 pounds per acre (Wilson 1993).
Well-maintained orchards can produce fruit for 20 years (Harris 1976).

Soil tests are necessary to determine fertilization requirements.
Application of a balanced fertilizer during establishment will maximize
survival and growth (Wilson 1993). Yearly fertilization with 100 pounds
per acre of ammonium nitrate will improve color, size, and quality of
fruit in older stands (Harris 1976). Weed control (chemical and
mechanical) and irrigation also enhance fruit production (Harris 1976).
The water requirements of saskatoon orchards are about 45 centimeters
per year. Maintaining soil moisture at 50% of its water holding capacity
is optimum for growth (Wilson 1993).

*Revegetation*: For streambank or riparian restoration, Pacific
serviceberry (two-year-old stock) should be planted on the upper bank.
Weed control and irrigation during the first growing season will enhance
survival and growth. Moderate browsing of *Amelanchier alnifolia* can
increase twig production (Wasser and Shoemaker 1982). Spring burns on
high elevation rangeland can cause mortality but also significantly
increase twig production in *Amelanchier alnifolia* (Cook and others
1994). Saskatoon serviceberry occurs in forests with fire regimes
varying from frequent, low-severity fire to infrequent, severe fire
(Howard 1997; Hickerson 1986).

##### Pests and Potential Problems

This species is susceptible to several pathogens including those that
cause rust, witches broom, fire blight, powdery mildew, leaf blights or
spots, fruit rot, dieback, canker, root rot, and wound rot. It is also
host to several insects including leaf miners, borers, mites, sawflies,
scale, root aphids, tent caterpillars, tarnished plant bug, and apple
curculio (*Tachypterrellus quadrigibbus*) (Anonymous 1976; Dirr 1983;
Furniss and Carolin 1977; Furniss and Krebill 1972; Pruski and others
1991; Steeves and others 1979; USDA Forest Service1971). Of these pests,
rust, fire blight, and leaf blights cause the greatest losses; the apple
curculio greatly reduces fruit yields (Furniss and Krebill 1972; Steeves
and others 1979; USDA Forest Service 1971). Preventive measures
including pruning out diseased wood and maintaining an open canopy aid
in disease control. Biological measures (B.T.) and pesticides may be
used to control pests.

*Amelanchier alnifolia* is capable of producing toxic levels of hydrogen
cyanide (prussic acid) (Majak and others 1980a; Majak and others 1978).
This is toxic to ruminants such as deer and cattle, although prunasin
concentration in new growth (leaves) varies with subspecies or variety
(Brooke and others 1988; Majak and others 1980b; Quinton and others
1985). Higher levels of this toxin are present in leaves and twigs
during bloom stage and rapidly decline thereafter (Majak and others
1981). Reports of mycorrhizae on *Amelanchier* species are lacking.

Pacific serviceberry is not considered to be weedy or invasive, but
individuals with concerns for a particular environment should make their
decisions concerning plant selection and use on a case-by-case basis. It
is recommended that local or on-site sources of Pacific serviceberry are
used for restoration or revegetation projects.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Currently, no cultivars of Pacific serviceberry have been developed. The
development of saskatoon serviceberry \[*Amelanchier alnifolia* (Nutt.)
Nutt. ex M. Roemer\] cultivars has been slow, occurring over many years
(Davidson and Mazza 1991). The most important of these cultivars have
been selected from wild populations, although some hybridization has
resulted in commercially acceptable varieties (Davidson and Mazza 1991;
Wilson 1993). Improved fruit quality and a better growth habit have been
the result. Notable cultivars and improved materials include 'Altaglow'
(Alberta), 'Smoky' (Alberta), 'Pembina' (Alberta), 'Forestberg'
(Alberta), 'Northline' (Alberta), 'Thiessen' (Saskatchewan), 'Honeywood'
(Saskatchewan), and 'Regent' (MN).

##### References

Anderson, H.G & A.W. Bailey 1980. Effects of annual burning on grassland
in the aspen parkland of east-central Alberta. Canadian Journal of
Botany. 58:985-996.

Anonymous 1976. *Amelanchier alnifolia* (Nuttall) Nuttall saskatoon.
Davidsonia. 7(1):5-13.

Bishop, B.H & S.H.Nelson 1980. Propagation and transplanting of
saskatoon (*Amelanchier alnifolia* Nutt.) softwood cuttings. Canadian
Journal of Plant Science. 60:543-547.

Brooke, B.M., R.E. McDiarmid, & W. Majak 1988. The cyanide potential in
two varieties of *Amelanchier alnifolia*. Canadian Journal of Plant
Science. 68:543-547.

Chong, C., O.B. Allen & H.W. Barnes 1992. Comparative rooting of stem
cuttings of selected woody landscape shrub and tree taxa to varying
concentrations of IBA in talc, ethanol, and glycol carriers. Journal of
Environmental Horticulture. 10(4):245-250.

Cook, J.G, T.J. Hershey & L.L. Irwin 1994. Vegetative response to
burning on Wyoming mountain-shrub big game ranges. Journal of Range
Management. 47(4):296-302.

Davidson, C.G. & G. Mazza 1991. Variability of fruit quality and plant
height in populations of saskatoon berries (*Amelanchier alnifolia*
Nutt.). Fruit Varieties Journal. 45(3):162-165.

Dirr, M. A. 1983. Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL:
Stipes Publishing. 826 pp.

Dirr, M. A. & C.W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. The reference manual of woody plant
propagation. Athens, GA: Varsity Press. 239 pp.

Elias, T.S. 1980. The complete trees of North America. New York: Van
Nostrand Reinhold. 948 pp.

Flessner, T.R., D.C. Darris & S.M. Lambert 1992. Seed source evaluation
of four native riparian shrubs for streambank rehabilitation in the
Pacific Northwest.

Pp. 155-162 *In*: Proceedings, Symposium on Ecology and Management of
Riparian Shrub Communities. U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest
Service General Technical Report INT-289.

Franklin, J.R. & C.T. Dyrness 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and
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Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and
Range Experiment Station. 417 pp.

Furniss, R.L. & V.M. Carolin 1980. Western forest insects. U.S.
Department of Agriculture Forest Service Miscellaneous Publication No.
1339. Washington, D.C.: U. S. Government Printing Office. 654 pp.

Furniss, M.M. & R.G. Krebill 1972. Insects and diseases of shrubs on
western big game ranges. Pp. 218-220 *In*: Proceedings, Symposium on
Wildland Shrubs -- Their Biology and Utilization. U. S. Department of
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Gunther, E. 1995. Ethnobotany of western Washington. Seattle, WA:
University of Washington Press. 71 pp.

Harris, R. 1976. Saskatoons (*Amelanchier alnifolia*): Summary report.
Report of Proceedings of Western Canadian Society of Horticulture.
32d:50-59.

Howard, J.L. 1997; Hickerson, J. 1986. *Amelanchier alnifolia*. *In*: U.
S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research
Station, Sciences Laboratory (2001, February). Fire Effects Information
System, \[Online\]. <http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/> \[Accessed:
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Howe, G. 1976. Production of saskatoons (*Amelanchier alnifolia*).
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32d:75-76.

Kabaluk, J.T. & R.G. St. Pierre 1992. A technique for screening
seedlings of the saskatoon for resistance to the rust *Gymnosporangium
nelsonii*. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 72:627-630.

L.H. Bailey Hortorium 1976. Hortus third. New York: Macmillan. 1290 pp.

MacDonald, B. 1986. Practical woody plant propagation for nursery
growers. Vol. 1. Portland, OR: Timber Press. 669 pp.

Majak, W., R.J. Bose & D.A. Quinton 1978. Prunasin, the cyanogenic
glycoside in Amelanchier alnifolia. Phytochemistry. 17:803.

Majak, W., R.E. McDiarmid & J.W. Hall 1981. The cyanide potential of
saskatoon servicebery *Amelanchier alnifolia* and chokecherry *Prunus
virginiana*. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 61(3): 681-686.

Majak, W., D.A. Quinton & K. Broersma 1980a. Cyanogenic glycoside levels
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Nelson, S.H. 1987. Effects of stock plant etiolation on the rooting of
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Nelson, S.H. & B.H. Bishop 1980. Rootstock studies on saskatoons
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Olson, A.R. 1984. Structural aspects of pollination in *Amelanchier
alnifolia* (Maloideae). Canadian Journal of Botany. 62(4):858-864.

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Steeves, T.A., D.M. Lehmkuhl, & T.D. Bethune 1979. Damage to saskatoons
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111(6):641-648.

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104(3):379-386.

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FWS/OBS-82/56. Pp. 177-180.

Voeller, P.J., B.A. Zamora, & J. Harsh 1998. Growth

response of native shrubs to acid mine spoil and to proposed soil
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Vories, K.C. 1980. Growing Colorado plants from seed: a state of the
art. Vol. 1. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service General
Technical Report INT-103. 80 pp.

Weber, G.P., L.E. Wiesner, & R.E. Lund 1982. Improving germination of
skunkbush sumac and serviceberry seed. Journal of Seed Technology.
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Wilson, B. 1993. Saskatoon berries. Bemidji, MN: Summer Harvest Berry
Farm. 5 pp.

##### Prepared By: 

*Theresa Flessner*, formerly Conservation Agronomist

USDA NRCS Corvallis Plant Materials Center, Corvallis, Oregon

# Species Coordinator:

*Jennifer Kujawski*, Resource Conservationist

Formerly USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, Maryland

##### Edited: 07Feb2002 JLK; 30may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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