Although trees and shrubs are blooming earlier this season due to the warm winter we had, some do start blooming this time of year. Come with us as we dive into the world of serviceberry trees.
What to Know About Serviceberry Trees
The serviceberry tree is considered to be more of a shrub, and is considered an ideal plant for our Colorado landscapes due to its resilience in the cold and during droughts.
Now that it’s starting to bloom in this warm, pre-spring air, you’ll see these shrubs covered in clusters of white flowers while the young leaves remain a bronzey shade. In the fall, these leaves change color to lustrous shades of orange and red, letting you enjoy beautiful foliage throughout the growing season.
And, true to the name, this shrub produces berries, and you can eat them!
Depending on other environmental factors, serviceberry shrubs only grow to be about 6-15 feet tall, but can get to a height of about 25 feet, making them excellent hedges or screens to act as privacy on your property.
Common Pests & Diseases with Serviceberry Trees
Despite all the benefits trees bring, there can be some downsides to having a serviceberry tree as a fixture in your landscaping.
Because this shrub is a fruit tree, some typical issues you may face might include messy fruit when it falls from its branches.
The serviceberry can be susceptible to blight– a fungus that can destroy your tree if not treated in time. You can read more about blight and how to recognize it here.
Another issue these shrubs can face is blight, as well as attracting aphids or mites.
Luckily, ArborScape can help mitigate these issues with treatments such as insect sprays in the summer. For blight, we tend to trim out the infected areas and will sometimes recommend a cambistat treatment to help slow growth, which helps stop the spread of the fungus.
Trimming Serviceberry Trees
As we mentioned above, these trees are typically a bit smaller, meaning they can be much more easily pruned and shaped as hedges against a house or as privacy screens in your backyard.
Though pruning smaller shrubs can be less daunting than tackling a fully mature tree, calling in the professionals to trim your trees can be the safest route for you, your property, and your trees.
All our tree work is performed by journeyman arborists who are taught under the direction and supervision of ISA-certified arborist, David Merriman, ArborScape’s owner. We are licensed and insured for everyone’s peace of mind.
Get your serviceberry tree serviced by ArborScape! Learn more about our Denver tree care services by visiting our website or blog. You can also call us at (303) 806-8733 for a free quote!
