Virginia Tech Dendrology

downy serviceberry Rosaceae Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fernald symbol: AMAR3
Leaf: Alternate, simple, ovate, 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, pinnately-veined, finely serrate, green above and paler below, may be pubescent below, particularly when young.
Flower: Showy with 5 long (1/2 inch) strap-like white petals, occuring in elongated, drooping bunches, appear in spring just before or with the leaves.
Fruit: Red to purple round berry-like pome, 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter, in small hanging clusters, ripen in early to mid summer. The fruits are edible and may be the best kept secret in the woods.
Twig: Slender, flexible, red-brown to gray in color,a few lighter scattered lenticels, may be covered with fine hairs when young; buds are long pointed, up to 1/2 inch long, covered with only a few scales, usually with hairy margins, light yellow-green to red in color, often slightly hooking around twigs.
Bark: Smooth when young, ashy-gray with darker stripes; later becoming rough with long vertical splits and furrows.
Form: A shrub or small tree up to 40 feet (occasionally much larger) with a narrow crown.
Looks like: shadblow serviceberry - Alleghany serviceberry - roundleaf serviceberry - American beech

Additional Range Information: Amelanchier arborea is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information